despertador
/despeɾtaˈdoɾ/masculine
The English phrase "alarm clock" is despertador in Spanish. Wiktionary also lists reloj despertador.
Meaning: type of clock (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| despertador | /despeɾtaˈdoɾ/ | masculine |
| reloj despertador | /reˌlox despeɾtaˈdoɾ/ | masculine |
You can specify the type of device by adding adjectives, such as un despertador digital (a digital alarm clock) or un despertador con radio (an alarm clock with a radio).
Which one should you use?
While reloj despertador is the full technical term for an alarm clock, despertador is the much more common way to refer to the device in everyday conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a masculine noun, despertador must be preceded by masculine articles like el or un.
How do you pronounce it?
/despeɾtaˈdoɾ/
Did you know?
- The word despertador is actually an agent noun, meaning 'one who wakes [someone] up'.
- The word reloj was borrowed into Spanish from Old Catalan relotge in the 14th century rather than coming directly from Latin.
Examples in context
- Ponga el despertador a las siete.Set the alarm clock for seven o'clock.This sentence shows how to use the form despertador when setting a specific time.Tatoeba #2267716 by hayastan, translation #2267715 by _undertoad
- ¿Tienes despertador en tu cuarto?Do you have an alarm clock in your room?This sentence uses despertador to ask if someone owns the device in their room.Tatoeba #3974265 by senryakun, translation #3956159 by CK
- Mi despertador no sonó esa mañana.My alarm clock didn't go off that morning.This sentence uses despertador to express that the device did not go off.Tatoeba #10890905 by JSKabylie, translation #12892675 by araneo
- ¿Dónde está mi reloj despertador? Necesito levantarme temprano mañana.Where is my alarm clock? I need to wake up early tomorrow.
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are in their bedroom in the morning.
- Sofía¿Oíste el despertador, Javier?Did you hear the alarm clock, Javier?
- JavierNo, me quedé dormido.No, I fell back asleep.
- SofíaTu despertador es muy silencioso.Your alarm clock is very quiet.
- JavierTienes razón, lo cambiaré pronto.You're right, I'll change it soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “alarm clock” translations and entries despertador, reloj despertador, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries despertador, reloj, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
