oxígeno

oxygen

noun ohk-SEE-heh-noh Rare

Origin: Coined in French as oxygène by Lavoisier (1777), from Greek oxys (sharp/acid) + genos (origin).

Usage Note

Oxígeno is the chemical element and also used figuratively: necesito oxígeno means 'I need some breathing room.' The written accent on the i is essential — without it the word would be stressed differently. The phrase tanque de oxígeno (or bombona de oxígeno in Spain) refers to an oxygen tank.

Examples

"Las plantas producen oxígeno durante el día."

Natural Translation

Plants produce oxygen during the day.

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