biológico
adjectiveCEFR B2
What does “biológico” mean in English?
biological
biological (relating to living organisms or biology; diversidad biológica; reloj biológico)
Example sentences
El debate sobre si la agresividad es biológica o cultural sigue sin resolverse de manera concluyente en la comunidad científica.
The debate about whether aggression is biological or cultural remains unresolved in the scientific community.
La diversidad biológica de la selva amazónica es incomparable y su destrucción sería irreversible.
The biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest is incomparable, and its destruction would be irreversible.
Para muchos adoptados, la búsqueda del progenitor biológico forma parte del proceso de construcción de la identidad.
For many adoptees, the search for their biological parent is part of the process of constructing their identity.
How to use it
Biológico/a means 'biological' — relating to biology or to natural/organic processes. It is a classifying adjective and takes ser. Core collocations: diversidad biológica (biodiversity), reloj biológico (biological clock), progenitor biológico (biological parent), guerra biológica (biological warfare), residuos biológicos (biological waste), proceso biológico. At B2, the contrast between biológico (natural/scientific) and social/cultural is a key argumentative frame in opinion and academic writing.
Common mistake
Biológico is a false friend in one specific context: 'biological' in English can mean 'organic/natural' (biological washing powder), but in Spanish that use is escaso — biológico is reserved for the scientific and kinship senses. For organic food/products, use ecológico or orgánico. Also: diversidad biológica and biodiversidad are interchangeable in formal writing but biodiversidad is more compact and preferred in journalism.