How to Say "Alternator" in Spanish

alternador

/alteɾnaˈdoɾ/masculine

The Spanish word for alternator is alternador.

alternador is a masculine noun used to refer to an electric generator that produces alternating current.

Meaning: an electric generator which produces alternating current (noun)

Is it said differently in some regions?

In the Caribbean, the word generador is used to describe an alternator.

The plural form is created by adding -es to the end of the word, resulting in alternadores.

/alteɾnaˈdoɾ/

In many Spanish-speaking countries, if a car's alternador fails, people often colloquially say the 'dynamo' dinamo is broken, even though these are technically different types of generators.
The word alternar can describe both electrical currents and the social act of taking turns or alternating between two different activities.
The word alternador shares a common ancestor with the English word 'alter', as both stem from the Latin 'alternus', meaning 'one after the other'.

El mecánico revisó el alternador del automóvil.
The mechanic checked the car's alternator.
Tengo que revisar el generador de mi coche.
I need to check my car's generator/alternator.
El alternador de mi coche no funciona.
The alternator of my car is not working.
Necesito comprar un alternador nuevo para el motor.
I need to buy a new alternator for the engine.
El mecánico revisó el alternador ayer.
The mechanic checked the alternator yesterday.

Mateo and Elena are discussing car troubles in a garage.

Mateo

¿Sabes por qué la batería se descarga?
Do you know why the battery is draining?
Elena

Creo que el alternador está roto.
I think the alternator is broken.
Mateo

Espero que no sea muy caro arreglarlo.
I hope it is not very expensive to fix it.
Elena

Lo llevaremos al taller mañana mismo.
We will take it to the workshop first thing tomorrow.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏