In English, how do you say a heating engineer? How do you translate glass wool, scaffolding or even a load-bearing wall?
With iSpeakSpokeSpoken, expand your English vocabulary in construction!
Building Profession and Trades
| Profession | Description | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| architect | A professional who designs buildings and oversees their construction. | |
| builder | A person who constructs or repairs buildings, often working with concrete and masonry. | |
| building worker | A general term for someone working on construction sites, performing various tasks. | |
| carpenter | A skilled tradesperson who works with wood, building structures, furniture, and fittings. | |
| estate agent (UK) / real estate agent (US) | A person who buys, sells, and rents properties on behalf of clients. | |
| glazier | A tradesperson who installs glass in windows and other parts of buildings. | |
| heating engineer | A specialist who installs and repairs heating systems in buildings. | |
| interior designer | A professional who plans and designs interior spaces to make them functional and aesthetic. | |
| landscape gardener | A person who designs and maintains outdoor spaces like gardens, lawns, and parks. | |
| locksmith | A professional who repairs, installs, and opens locks and keys. | |
| painter | A person who applies paint, stain, or coatings to walls, furniture, and other surfaces. | |
| plumber | A tradesperson who installs and repairs water systems, pipes, and fixtures. | |
| roofer | A specialist who installs and repairs roofs on buildings. | |
| site supervisor | A person who oversees workers and ensures construction projects are on schedule. | |
| tiler | A tradesperson who installs tiles on floors, walls, and other surfaces. |
Building Materials
| Material | Description | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| aluminum | A silvery metal often used for doors, windows, and roofing. | |
| bitumen | A black, sticky substance derived used in road surfacing and waterproofing. | |
| brick | A rectangular block, typically made from clay, used in walls and buildings. | |
| cement | A powder that is mixed with water and used to harden and bind other materials together. | |
| concrete | A strong building material made of cement, sand, gravel, and water, used for foundations and walls. | |
| floor tile | A square or rectangular piece used to cover floors, made of ceramic, stone, or other materials. | |
| glass | A transparent material used for windows and decorative features. | |
| glass wool | A fibrous material used for insulation, made from spun glass fibers. | |
| granite | A hard, durable stone often used for countertops and building facades. | |
| lauze | A type of flat stone, often used for traditional roofing in some regions. | |
| lead | A dense, heavy metal often used in roofing and pipes (less common now due to health concerns). | |
| lime | A material used in mortar and plaster, often derived from limestone. | |
| limestone | A sedimentary rock, often used in construction and as a base material for cement. | |
| mortar | A paste made of cement, sand, and water, used to bind bricks or stones together. | |
| plaster | A material applied to walls and ceilings for a smooth finish, often used as a base for painting. | |
| PVC | A type of plastic used in pipes, window frames, and other building components. | |
| sandstone | A sedimentary rock, used for walls and decorative elements. | |
| slate | A fine-grained rock used for roofing and flooring. | |
| steel | A strong alloy of iron and carbon, used extensively in building structures. | |
| straw | Dried stalks of grain plants, sometimes used for roofing or insulation. | |
| tile | A piece used for covering roofs, walls, or floors, often made of clay or stone. | |
| wood | A natural material from trees, used in construction for framing, flooring, and finishes. | |
| zinc | A metal used as a protective coating for iron and steel to prevent rust. |
Construction Tools and Equipment
| Item | Description | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| battery charger | A device used to recharge batteries, typically for power tools or equipment. | |
| cement mixer | A machine used to mix cement, water, and aggregates to create concrete. | |
| chisel | A tool with a sharp edge used for carving or shaping wood, stone, or metal. | |
| hammer | A tool with a heavy head used for driving nails, breaking objects, or shaping materials. | |
| jackhammer | A powerful tool used for breaking up concrete, asphalt, or other hard materials. | |
| polisher | A machine or tool used for smoothing and shining surfaces, often on metal or stone. | |
| saw | A tool with a toothed blade used for cutting wood, metal, or other materials. | |
| scaffolding | A temporary structure used to support workers and materials during construction. | |
| screwdriver drill | A power tool used for drilling holes and driving screws. | |
| spirit level | A tool used to check if a surface is perfectly level, using a bubble in a liquid-filled vial. | |
| stool | A small ladder or platform used to reach higher places or provide extra height. | |
| telescopic ladder | A ladder that can extend and retract, allowing for adjustable height. | |
| toolbox | A container used to store and organize hand tools and equipment. | |
| torch | A tool that uses a flame for tasks such as welding or soldering; also called a blowtorch. | |
| vacuum | A machine that uses suction to remove dust, debris, or dirt from surfaces or the air. |
Building Techniques
| Term | Description | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| casing | A covering or protective layer, often for windows, doors, or pipes. | |
| caulking | The process of sealing gaps or cracks in building surfaces to prevent leaks. | |
| chopped off | Refers to something that has been cut or removed, often in construction. | |
| dimension | The measurements of a building or structure, such as height, width, and depth. | |
| insulation | Material used to reduce heat loss or gain in a building, improving energy efficiency. | |
| amount | The quantity or volume of material or work involved. | |
| bearing wall | A wall that supports weight from above, such as floors or the roof. | |
| plating | The process of applying a thin layer of material, like metal, to a surface. | |
| baseboard | A wooden board placed along the bottom of a wall, covering the joint between wall and floor. | |
| joist | A horizontal support beam that holds up floors or ceilings. | |
| earthworks | The process of moving or shaping the earth for construction purposes, such as excavation or grading. | |
| zoning | The practice of dividing land into zones for different uses (residential, commercial, etc.). |
Building Vocabulary in Expressions
| Expression | Meaning | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| be like talking to a brick wall | To attempt to communicate with someone who is unresponsive or uncooperative. | |
| behind closed doors | Happening in private, out of public view. | |
| bring the house down | To cause a great impact or make a strong impression, often in a positive way. | |
| don’t throw bricks when you live in a glass house | Don’t criticize others for faults that you yourself have. | |
| drive somebody up the wall | To irritate or annoy someone to the point of frustration. | |
| fence sitter | Someone who does not take sides or make a decision in a disagreement. | |
| go through the ceiling | To become angry or to increase significantly (e.g., prices or emotions). | |
| have the floor | To be given the opportunity to speak or take control of a situation. | |
| have your back to the wall | To be in a difficult situation with no easy way out. | |
| hit home | To make someone fully realize or understand something, often emotionally. | |
| hit the roof | To become extremely angry or upset. | |
| ivory tower | A place or situation where someone is disconnected from reality or practical concerns. | |
| mend fences | To repair a relationship or resolve a conflict. | |
| off the wall | Very unusual, unconventional, or eccentric. |
