el grabado

Meaning (in English)

Grabado is the past participle of grabar. Its meaning depends on context:

1. Engraved / etched / carved

   • Refers to something that has been cut or incised into a surface (metal, wood, stone, glass).
   • Ej.: “un nombre grabado en la piedra” → “a name engraved in the stone”

2. Recorded

   • Refers to audio/video or information that has been recorded (saved on a device or medium).
   • Ej.: “un mensaje grabado” → “a recorded message”

3. Engraving (noun) / print (art)

   • As a masculine noun (un grabado), it can mean an engraving or engraved print (a work made by engraving, or the resulting image).
   • Ej.: “un grabado antiguo” → “an old engraving/print”

Parts / form

• Root: grab- (from grabar)
• Suffix: -ado (typical past participle ending for -ar verbs)
• Grammar: can function as
  • Adjective: está grabado (“it is recorded/engraved”)
  • Past participle in compound tenses: he grabado (“I have recorded”)
  • Noun (masculine): un grabado (“an engraving/print”)

Spanish synonyms

Depending on meaning:

• Engraved/etched: tallado, cincelado, inscrito, marcado, esculpido (context-dependent)
• Recorded: registrado, filmado (video), captado (captured), memorizado (saved)
• Engraving (noun): estampa, xilografía (woodcut, specific technique)

Spanish antonyms

Also depends on meaning:

• Engraved: liso (smooth, unmarked), sin inscribir, sin tallar
• Recorded: no grabado, borrado (erased/deleted)