grabar
/ɡɾaˈbaɾ/
The English phrase 'record' (to make an audio or video recording) is translated into Spanish as grabar. Wiktionary also lists registrar.
Meaning: make an audio or video recording of (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| grabar | /ɡɾaˈbaɾ/ |
| registrar | /rexisˈtɾaɾ/ |
Use grabar when referring to capturing audio or video, such as recording a song or a movie scene. Use registrar when referring to the act of logging, registering or entering data into a system or official record.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, Acta is a term used in legal contexts as an alternative to registro.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡɾaˈbaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse the Spanish verb grabar (to record) with the English word grab. They are not related.
Did you know?
- The verb grabar is used for 'recording' a song, but to 'record' a memory in your mind, Spanish speakers often use grabar a fuego to mean something is permanently etched.
- The verb grabar also means 'to engrave' or 'to carve' into a hard surface. This is because early audio recording involved physically etching grooves into wax or vinyl cylinders.
- The word grabar is borrowed from the French word graver.
Examples in context
- Tienen que grabar su discurso.You must record his speech.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of grabar regarding a speech.Tatoeba #2195163 by marcelostockle, translation #285621 by CK
- ¿Vas a grabar el capítulo de hoy?Are you going to record today's episode?This sentence is useful for practicing the use of grabar regarding an episode.Tatoeba #1624764 by marcelostockle, translation #1624889 by marcelostockle
- espero que planees grabar algo masI hope you plan to record some more.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of grabar regarding the act of recording.Tatoeba #4817968 by gusrudess, translation #4817461 by mraz
- Para obtener una copia del registro de nacimiento, debe dirigirse a la oficina del registro civil.To obtain a copy of the birth record, you must go to the civil registry office.
- Me gustaría hacer una grabación de este concierto para recordarlo siempre.I would like to make a recording of this concert to remember it forever.
- ¿Sabes dónde puedo encontrar esa grabación de la canción que nos gustaba tanto?Do you know where I can find that recording of the song we liked so much?
- acta de defuncióndeath certificate
- discovinyl records
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are in a music studio.
- Elena¿Vas a grabar la voz hoy, Javier?Are you going to record the vocals today, Javier?
- JavierSí, Elena, quiero grabar todo ahora.Yes, Elena, I want to record everything now.
- ElenaPerfecto, yo te ayudo a grabar.Perfect, I will help you record.
- JavierGracias, empezamos en un momento.Thanks, we start in a moment.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “record” translations and entries grabar, registrar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries grabar, registrar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
