Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| botón | /boˈton/ | masculine |
| brochón | /bɾot͡ʃon/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The word botón refers to a knob or a small disc used as a fastener. It is also used to describe electronic or mechanical buttons, such as those found on a remote control. When you are talking about the act of pushing an electronic or mechanical button, the phrase pulsar el botón is commonly used.
Which one should you use?
While botón covers both clothing fasteners and electronic buttons, the term pulsador is used in specific contexts in Spain, such as describing the buttons found on elevators or bell pushes.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, an alternative word for a button is pulsador, which is typically used for devices like elevators. In some Latin American countries, you may hear the diminutive form botoncito, which is often used to refer to small buttons or used affectionately.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are talking about the act of buttoning one's own clothing, use the reflexive verb abotonarse. For the general action of fastening something with a button, you can use abotonar or abrochar and for fastening oneself, you can use abrocharse.
How do you pronounce it?
/boˈton/
Did you know?
- In certain Spanish-speaking slang, botón can be used to refer to a police officer, a term thought to stem from the prominent brass buttons on their uniforms.
- In Spanish, the word botón is used to describe a flower bud before it opens, likening the shape of a bud to a small fastener.
- The verb used for pressing a button, pulsar, is the same word used to describe the action of a heart 'pulsing' or 'beating'.
Examples in context
- El botón se cayó.The button came off.This sentence is useful for describing a button that has fallen off.Tatoeba #637470 by clerval, translation #33425 by CK
- Me falta un botón.I'm missing a button.This sentence is useful for saying you are missing a button.Tatoeba #6859696 by albrusgher, translation #6588055 by Eccles17
- Tom pulsó el botón.Tom pushed the button.This sentence shows the use of the verb pulsar with botón.Tatoeba #4381013 by saverius, translation #2273659 by CK
- Por favor, presione el botón para iniciar la máquina.Please press the button to start the machine.
- Pulsa el pulsador para llamar al ascensor.Press the button to call the elevator.
- ¿Puedes ayudarme a coser este botoncito?Can you help me sew this little button?
- Presiona y mantén pulsado el botón de encendido para encender la computadora.Press and hold the power button to turn on the computer.
- Por favor, presiona el botón para iniciar la lavadora.Please press the button to start the washing machine.
- A ella le encanta llevar camisas con botones decorativos.She loves wearing shirts with decorative buttons.
- Este botón no funciona. Necesitamos reemplazarlo.This button is not working. We need to replace it.
- El botón del ascensor está atascado.The elevator button is stuck.
- 111 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are looking at a new shirt in a shop.
- Lucía¿Te gusta este botón dorado?Do you like this golden button?
- DanielSí, es un botón muy bonito.Yes, it is a very pretty button.
- LucíaPero el botón parece un poco flojo.But the button looks a bit loose.
- DanielTienes razón, Lucía, lo revisaré.You are right, Lucía, I will check it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “button” translations and entries botón, brochón, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries botón, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
