prismáticos
/pɾismatikos/from spelling rulesmasculine, plural
The Spanish word for binoculars is prismáticos. Wiktionary also lists anteojos prismáticos and gemelos prismáticos.
Meaning: hand-held device for looking at a distance (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| prismáticos | /pɾismatikos/ (from spelling rules) | masculine, plural |
| anteojos prismáticos | /anteoxos pɾismatikos/ (from spelling rules) | masculine, plural |
| gemelos prismáticos | /xemelos pɾismatikos/ (from spelling rules) | masculine, plural |
| largavista | /laɾɡaˈbista/ | masculine |
The word refers to a hand-held device used for looking at objects from a distance.
What does it mean word for word?
The term prismáticos is an adjective used here as a noun, and it literally means 'prismatic'.
Which one should you use?
prismáticos is the most common and standard way to say binoculars. You may also see anteojos prismáticos or gemelos prismáticos. Additionally, largavista is a masculine singular form used for the device.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, especially in Andalusia, the term gemelos is used to mean binoculars.
How does it change in a sentence?
Even though the device is a single object, it is used in the plural form in Spanish, such as in los prismáticos.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾismatikos/
Did you know?
- The term gemelos for binoculars literally means 'twins'. This refers to the two identical optical tubes that make up the device.
- In some Latin American countries, the word binoculares is used instead of prismáticos, reflecting a direct influence from the English word 'binoculars'.
- The word largavista is a rare example of a compound noun in Spanish that remains singular, unlike prismáticos and gemelos which are almost always plural.
Examples in context
- ¿De quién son estos prismáticos?Whose binoculars are these?This sentence is useful for asking about the ownership of the prismáticos.Tatoeba #6569888 by arh, translation #6569077 by CK
- El guía del tour llevaba unos prismáticos para observar aves en el bosque.The tour guide carried binoculars to observe birds in the forest.
- Vamos al concierto y necesitaré mis prismas para ver mejor al cantante.We're going to the concert, and I'll need my binoculars to see the singer better.
- Desde el mirador, observamos las montañas con los gemelos que compramos en la tienda de souvenirs.From the viewpoint, we observed the mountains with the binoculars we bought at the souvenir shop.
- Necesito unos prismáticos para ver las aves.I need some binoculars to see the birds.
- Los prismáticos están sobre la mesa.The binoculars are on the table.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are hiking in the mountains.
- SofíaJavier, ¿tienes los prismáticos?Javier, do you have the binoculars?
- JavierSí, los llevo yo.Yes, I'm carrying them.
- SofíaPréstame los prismáticos un momento, por favor.Lend me the binoculars for a moment, please.
- JavierAquí tienes, Sofía.Here you go, Sofía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “binoculars” translations and entries prismáticos, largavista, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
