batería
/bateˈɾia/feminine
The English word 'battery' can be translated into Spanish as batería or pila.
Meaning: device storing electricity (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| batería | /bateˈɾia/ | feminine |
| pila | /ˈpila/ | feminine |
Both terms refer to a device that stores electricity. When a battery is dead or completely drained, it is common to say it is agotada.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both batería and pila are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/bateˈɾia/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if you ask for a batería, the clerk might hand you a set of drums rather than a piece of electronics.
- Using pila in some Latin American countries can also be a slang term for 'energy' or 'speed'. Saying someone has 'pilas' means they are alert and quick.
- In some contexts, pila refers to a baptismal font. This is because these basins are shaped like the Latin 'mortar' from which the word also descends.
Examples in context
- Se acabó la batería.The battery gave out.This sentence is useful for saying the battery gave out using batería.Tatoeba #402731 by cueyayotl, translation #35147 by CK
- La pila está agotada.The battery is flat.This sentence is useful for saying the battery is flat using pila.Tatoeba #1038457 by massama, translation #1042256 by yessoos
- ¡La batería está baja!The battery is low.This sentence is useful for saying the battery is low using batería.Tatoeba #629059 by Leono, translation #396440 by AlanF_US
- Necesito una pila nueva para mi reloj.I need a new battery for my watch.
- ¿Dónde puedo comprar una batería para mi teléfono móvil?Where can I buy a battery for my mobile phone?
- Se me acabaron las pilas de mi control remoto.I ran out of batteries for my remote control.
- ¡Ponle pilas al asunto!Get moving on it!
- 45 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are looking for a charger in the living room.
- LucíaAlejandro, mi teléfono no tiene batería.Alejandro, my phone has no battery.
- AlejandroBusca el cargador en la mesa.Look for the charger on the table.
- LucíaNo lo veo, necesito cargar la batería ya.I don't see it, I need to charge the battery now.
- AlejandroEstá aquí, Lucía, tómalo.It is here, Lucía, take it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “battery” translations and entries batería, pila, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
