tubérculo

tuber

noun too-BEHR-koo-loh Rare

Origin: From Latin tuberculum, diminutive of tuber (swelling).

Also means

tubercle

Usage Note

Tubérculo has two main uses: in botany, it is a starchy underground stem such as a potato (patata) or yam; in medicine, it is a small nodular lesion, especially the granuloma characteristic of tuberculosis (tuberculosis). The potato (patata or papa) is technically a tubérculo, a fact often cited in biology classes. Do not confuse with tubería ('pipe/tubing').

Examples

"La patata es el tubérculo más consumido del mundo."

Natural Translation

The potato is the most consumed tuber in the world.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Preterite vs. Imperfect: Spanish Past Tense Made Easy

Preterite vs. imperfect: use the preterite for finished events, the imperfect for ongoing scenery. A trigger-word cheat sheet, flowchart, and examples.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Tener in Spanish: Why You're Hungry, Cold & 30 Years

In Spanish you HAVE hunger, cold, and 30 years — not are them. Master tener expressions like tengo hambre, tengo frío, and tengo 30 años in one rule.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

How to Tell Time in Spanish: A Beginner's Guide

Tell time in Spanish with one formula: es la una vs son las, y and menos for minutes, plus de la mañana, en punto, and 24-hour station times.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

Mexican Spanish Slang Every Traveler Should Know

Mexican Spanish slang decoded for travelers: what güey, mande, órale, and ahorita really mean, who you can safely say them to, and how rude each one is.

June 9, 2026 6 min read