Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Magnet in Spanish
Imán · noun · ee-MAHN
Imán is the standard Spanish word for magnet. It refers to any object — natural or manufactured — that produces a magnetic field and attracts ferromagnetic materials such as iron or steel. The word is masculine (el imán), and its plural is imanes.
ee-MAHN
El imán se pegó a la puerta del refrigerador.
The magnet stuck to the refrigerator door.
Magnet in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for magnet, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| imán | magnet | ee-MAHN | Default, widely understood |
| magneto | magnet | technical / physics contexts |
How Native Speakers Use Imán
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Household use
Compré unos imanes decorativos para la nevera.
I bought some decorative magnets for the fridge.
Imanes is the plural of imán.
Science class
El profesor nos mostró cómo un imán atrae las limaduras de hierro.
The teacher showed us how a magnet attracts iron filings.
Atraer (to attract) is the verb most commonly paired with imán.
Figurative use
Esta ciudad es un imán para los turistas.
This city is a magnet for tourists.
Like in English, imán can be used figuratively to describe something that draws people in.
Craft project
Pegué un imán en la parte de atrás de la foto.
I glued a magnet to the back of the photo.
Pegar means to stick or to glue, fitting naturally with imán.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Imán
Wrong plural form
Incorrect: Tengo varios imáns en mi escritorio.
Correct: Tengo varios imanes en mi escritorio.
The plural of imán is imanes, not imáns. When forming the plural, the accent mark is dropped because the stress naturally falls on the second-to-last syllable.
Gender confusion
Incorrect: La imán es muy fuerte.
Correct: El imán es muy fuerte.
Imán is masculine, so it takes the article el, not la.
Lock in Magnet Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Imán used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using imán in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El imán se pegó a la puerta del refrigerador. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Magnet in Spanish
- Does imán really mean both 'magnet' and 'imam'?
- The word imán serves double duty in Spanish, referring both to a magnet and to an Islamic prayer leader. Both words entered Spanish from Arabic — one from the concept of faith or trust, the other from a root related to leading. Context always makes the meaning clear.
- What is the plural of imán?
- The plural is imanes. Notice the accent mark disappears because the natural stress shifts when the extra syllable is added.
- How do I say 'magnetic' in Spanish?
- The adjective is magnético (or magnética for feminine nouns). For example, campo magnético means magnetic field.