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grifo means faucet — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: February 10, 2026

📘 Essential Spanish

grifo

noun • /[GREE-fo]/

faucet

Example:

El grifo gotea constantemente.

The faucet drips constantly.

🧠 What does grifo mean?

A device that controls the flow of a liquid, especially water, from a pipe. It is commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms to get water from the sink or bathtub. A 'grifo' can be opened and closed to start or stop the flow, and often has separate controls for hot and cold water.

📚 Extra examples

  • El grifo de la cocina gotea y necesito llamar a un fontanero.
    The kitchen faucet is dripping and I need to call a plumber.
  • Por favor, abre el grifo del agua fría para llenar el vaso.
    Please, turn on the cold water faucet to fill the glass.
  • Instalaron un grifo nuevo con sensor en el baño público.
    They installed a new faucet with a sensor in the public restroom.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'grifo' also means 'griffin' in Spanish, the mythological creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. This dual meaning is believed to originate from ancient times when public water spouts were often decorated with sculpted animal heads, including griffins.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "grifo"

Synonyms: llave, canilla, pluma

🔍 See more essential spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'faucet' in Spanish?
The most common word for 'faucet' in Spanish is 'grifo'. In some parts of Latin America, you might also hear 'llave' (Mexico, Colombia), 'canilla' (Argentina, Uruguay), or 'pluma' (Cuba).
How do you pronounce 'grifo' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is GREE-foh. The 'g' is a hard sound, as in 'go', and the 'i' is pronounced like the 'ee' in 'see'.
How do you use 'grifo' in a sentence?
An example sentence is: 'Cierra el grifo para no desperdiciar agua.' This means, 'Turn off the faucet so as not to waste water.'
What is the English translation of 'grifo'?
The English translation of 'grifo' is 'faucet' or 'tap'.
Does 'grifo' change for gender or number?
Yes, it does. 'Grifo' is a masculine noun, so it uses masculine articles like 'el' and 'un'. The plural form is 'los grifos'. For example: 'Los grifos de la casa son muy modernos.'
Is 'grifo' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'grifo' is a very common word used daily in any Spanish-speaking country to refer to the faucets in a home or public building.
Does 'grifo' have slang or double meanings?
Yes. 'Grifo' is the Spanish word for the mythological creature, the 'griffin'. In some countries, like Mexico, 'grifo' can also be slang for someone who is high on marijuana. Context will almost always clarify the intended meaning.
Is 'grifo' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
While 'grifo' is understood everywhere, its frequency varies. In Spain, it is the standard and most common term. In many Latin American countries, other regional words like 'canilla', 'llave', or 'pluma' are more common in daily speech, though 'grifo' is still recognized.

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