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"Counter" is a noun which is often translated as "el mostrador", and "sink" is a noun which is often translated as "el lavabo". Learn more about the difference between "counter" and "sink" below.
counter(
kaun
-
tuhr
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
a. el mostrador (M) (in a store or restaurant)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
You'll find screwdrivers at the counter of any hardware store.Encontrarás destornilladores en el mostrador de cualquier ferretería.
b. la ventanilla (F) (in a bank, government office or post office)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Taxpayers lined up at the information counter of the IRS office.Los contribuyentes hacían cola en la ventanilla de información de la delegación de Hacienda.
c. la barra (F) (in a bar)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
She left her empty glass on the counter and paid.Dejó su vaso vacío en la barra y pagó.
d. la cubierta (F) (in a kitchen) (Latin America)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
I spilled some juice on the counter.Derramé jugo en la cubierta.
e. la mesada (F) (in a kitchen) (Paraguay) (River Plate)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Paraguay
Leave the groceries on the counter. I'll put them in the fridge later.Deja la compra en la mesada. Luego la colocaré en el refrigerador.
f. el tope (M) (in a kitchen) (Puerto Rico)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Puerto Rico
I don't see the tomatoes in the fridge. - No, I took them out. They're on the counter.No veo los tomates en la nevera. - No, ya los saqué. Están encima del tope.
g. la encimera (F) (in a kitchen) (Spain)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Spain
I chose a granite counter for my kitchen because it's easy to clean.Elegí una encimera de granito para mi cocina porque es fácil de limpiar.
2. (games)
a. el contador (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Place the stack of notes in the counter and it will count it for you.Pon el fajo de billetes en el contador y te los contará.
a. el contrapeso (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Work on the project acted as a counter to her depression.El trabajo en el proyecto servía de contrapeso a su depresión.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. en contra de
This idea runs counter to the conservative view on immigration.Esta idea está en contra de la posición de los conservadores sobre inmigración.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
6. (to oppose)
a. contrarrestar (a negative factor or unwanted effect)
To counter the students' lack of interest, the school will launch a new program of activities.Para contrarrestar la falta de interés de los alumnos, la escuela emprenderá un nuevo programa de actividades.
b. rebatir (an argument or opinion)
I countered his argument with a quotation from his own report.Rebatí su argumento citando su propio informe.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
7. (to respond)
a. responder
They countered by declaring war on Britain.Respondieron declarando la guerra a Gran Bretaña.
b. contraatacar (sports or games)
They countered with a second goal.Contraatacaron marcando un segundo gol.
sink(
sihngk
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
b. el lavamanos (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Wash your hands in the sink before having lunch.Lávate las manos en el lavamanos antes de comer.
a. el fregadero (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Leave the dirty dishes in the sink.Deja los platos sucios en el fregadero.
d. el lavaplatos (M) (Andes) (Chile)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in Chile
I need to get the sink repaired - it's got a crack.Tengo que hacer reparar el lavaplatos. Tiene una rajadura.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
4. (to ruin)
5. (to open up)
6. (to bury)
a. enterrar
The pipes are sunk into the ground seven feet deep.Las tuberías están enterradas en el suelo a siete pies.
7. (to invest)
a. invertir
My parents are sinking a lot of money into my education.Mis padres están invirtiendo mucho dinero en mi educación.
8. (sports)
9. (colloquial) (to down) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
a. tragarse
We ate dinner, sank a couple of drinks, and went to bed exhausted.Cenamos, nos tragamos un par de copas y nos fuimos a dormir exhaustos.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
10. (to submerge)
11. (to slump)
b. desplomarse
I was so tired that I sank into my bed.Estaba tan cansado que me desplomé en la cama.
12. (to lapse)
13. (to fall)
a. caer en picado
The company's benefits sank last quarter.Los beneficios de la empresa cayeron en picado el trimestre pasado.
14. (to deteriorate)
a. empeorar
His health was sinking, and he knew that his death was approaching.Su salud empeoraba y sabía que su muerte se estaba acercando.
