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"Cirio" is a noun which is often translated as "candle", and "bujía" is a noun which is often translated as "spark plug". Learn more about the difference between "cirio" and "bujía" below.
el cirio(
see
-
reeoh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (religious)
b. wax candle
El cirio tiene un importante significado religioso en una misa.A wax candle has an important religious meaning in a mass.
2. (colloquial) (rumpus)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. row
No puedo dormir porque los vecinos están armando un cirio de cuidado.I can't sleep because my neighbors are kicking up a huge row.
la bujía(
boo
-
hee
-
ah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (automobile)
a. spark plug
El mecánico me cambió las bujías del carro.The mechanic changed the spark plugs in my car.
2. (bulb) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. light bulb
Los filamentos de la bujía estaban rotos y por eso no se encendía.The filaments in the light bulb were broken and that's why it wasn't working.
3. (old-fashioned) (taper)
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
a. candle
Gracias a la luz de la bujía pudimos ver algo en la penumbra.Thanks to the light of the candle we were able to see in the shadows.
b. candlestick (holder)
La bujía tenía tres agujeros para tres velas.The candlestick had three holes for three candles.
4. (technical) (measure)
A word or phrase that is only used by experts, professionals, or academics in a particular field (e.g., exposition).
a. candela
¿Sabías que la intensidad luminosa se mide en bujías?Did you know that luminous intensity is measured in candelas?
