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"Caucho" is a noun which is often translated as "rubber", and "goma" is a noun which is also often translated as "rubber". Learn more about the difference between "caucho" and "goma" below.
el caucho(
kow
-
choh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (material)
a. rubber
Afuera está todo enlodado así que ponte tus botas de caucho.It's all muddy outside, so wear your rubber boots.
La empresa de Juan utiliza caucho para fabricar mangueras y neumáticos.Juan's company uses rubber to make hoses and tires.
2. (botany)
a. rubber tree
Depositaron la savia lechosa que salía del caucho en un cubo.They deposited the milky sap coming out of the rubber tree into a bucket.
3. (wheel) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. tire (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Los cauchos de mi carro están desgastados y por eso los cambio.My car's tires are worn out so that's why I'm changing them.
b. tyre (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
La adherencia de los cauchos es fundamental para tu seguridad al volante.The adherence of the tyres is essential for your security at the wheel.
4. (clothing) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. raincoat
Menos mal que me llevé el caucho porque por la tarde llovió.Luckily I took my raincoat because it started to rain in the evening.
la goma(
goh
-
mah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (material)
a. eraser
¿Tienes una goma para borrar la tinta del boli?Do you have an eraser that will erase pen ink?
b. rubber (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¿Me prestas una goma para el examen?Can you lend me a rubber for the exam?
3. (botany)
a. gum
Los científicos exploran nuevos usos de la goma de la palmera.Scientists are exploring new uses for palm gum.
4. (adhesive)
5. (band)
b. elastic band (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Recógete una coleta con una goma.Tie your hair up in a ponytail with an elastic band.
6. (culinary)
7. (wheel)
a. tire
Quiere comprar gomas usadas para el carro para ahorrar dinero.He wants to buy used tires for the car to save money.
b. tyre (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Voy a comprar gomas de segunda mano para el coche.I'm going to buy second-hand tyres for my car.
8. (colloquial) (contraceptive)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. condom
Estaban regalando gomas anoche afuera del concierto.They were giving away condoms outside the concert last night.
b. rubber (colloquial) (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
No es aconsejable usar una goma caducada.It is not advisable to use a rubber that is past its expiration date.
c. johnny (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¿Dónde se compran gomas a esta hora de la noche?Where can you buy johnnies at this time of night?
9. (aftereffect of drinking alcohol) (Central America)
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
a. hangover
Anoche bebí demasiado y ahora tengo una goma horrible.I drank too much last night and now I have a terrible hangover.
10. (sports) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. home (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Vamos a la repetición para ver si el bateador logró tocar la goma antes que el catcher.Let's go to the playback to see if the hitter managed to touch home before the catcher.
