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Science Vocabulary in Spanish for Students

25+ essential science terms translated English to Spanish — biology, chemistry, physics, and the scientific method — with cognate callouts for faster learning.

Complete Science Terms: English → Spanish
English Spanish (Español) Pronunciation Hint Subject
BiologyBiologíabyoh-lo-HEE-ahBiology
CellCélulaSEH-loo-lahBiology
NucleusNúcleoNOO-kleh-ohBiology
OrganismOrganismoor-gah-NEES-moBiology
PhotosynthesisFotosíntesisfo-to-SEEN-teh-seesBiology
EcosystemEcosistemaeh-ko-sees-TEH-mahBiology
AdaptationAdaptaciónah-dap-tah-SYOHNBiology
HabitatHábitatAH-bee-tatBiology
VertebrateVertebradover-teh-BRAH-doBiology
InvertebrateInvertebradoeen-ver-teh-BRAH-doBiology
PredatorDepredadordeh-preh-dah-DORBiology
PreyPresaPREH-sahBiology
ChemistryQuímicaKEE-mee-kahChemistry
AtomÁtomoAH-to-moChemistry
MoleculeMoléculamo-LEH-koo-lahChemistry
ElementElementoeh-leh-MEN-toChemistry
ReactionReacciónreh-ak-SYOHNChemistry
PhysicsFísicaFEE-see-kahPhysics
EnergyEnergíaeh-ner-HEE-ahPhysics
GravityGravedadgrah-veh-DAHDPhysics
EvaporationEvaporacióneh-vah-po-rah-SYOHNEarth Sci
CondensationCondensaciónkon-den-sah-SYOHNEarth Sci
SedimentSedimentoseh-dee-MEN-toEarth Sci
HypothesisHipótesisee-PO-teh-seesSci. Method
ExperimentExperimentoeks-peh-ree-MEN-toSci. Method
ObservationObservaciónob-ser-vah-SYOHNSci. Method
ClassificationClasificaciónklah-see-fee-kah-SYOHNSci. Method

⚡ Kuliso Cognate Callouts — Science Words You Already Know

Science has some of the strongest cognate connections between English and Spanish — many terms share Latin or Greek roots. Spanish-speaking students can use these shortcuts to crack science vocabulary faster.

BiologyBiología Same root, add accent
OrganismOrganismo Swap -m for -mo
EnergyEnergía Same root + accent
HypothesisHipótesis H→Hi, add accent
ExperimentExperimento Add -o at the end
ClassificationClasificación -tion → -ción pattern
AdaptationAdaptación -tion → -ción pattern
EcosystemEcosistema Nearly identical

Why Bilingual Science Vocabulary Matters for Test Performance

59%
of ELL students score below proficient in science on NAEP
80%
of science words in English have Latin or Greek roots — shared with Spanish
3x
better retention when new terms are anchored to known home-language cognates

Science exams test both content knowledge and academic vocabulary. A Spanish-speaking student who knows what fotosíntesis means has a head start on "photosynthesis" — they just need to recognize the connection. Without that bridge, they have to learn the concept and the foreign word simultaneously.

The -tion → -ción pattern alone unlocks dozens of science words: evaporation, condensation, classification, observation, adaptation. Once a Spanish-speaking student recognizes this pattern, vocabulary acquisition accelerates significantly.

Kuliso's AI tutor teaches science concepts in Spanish, then explicitly shows these bridges — turning cognate recognition into a learnable skill rather than a lucky accident.

Practice These Terms with Kuliso's AI Tutor — It Speaks Spanish

Kuliso teaches science concepts in Spanish first, then builds the English bridge — so your child masters both the content and the test language.

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