cambiar idioma
/kambjaɾ idjoma/from spelling rules
The English phrase "change language" is translated into Spanish as cambiar idioma.
While cambiar idioma is grammatically correct for a button or a menu setting, cambiar el idioma is more common when speaking in full sentences.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb cambiar (to change) and the noun idioma (language).
How does it change in a sentence?
In natural speech, it is very common to insert the definite article el between the verb and the noun, resulting in cambiar el idioma.
When do people say it?
If you need assistance, you can use the polite phrase ¿Me puede ayudar a cambiar el idioma? to ask "Can you help me change the language?"
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word idioma is masculine, even though it ends in 'a', which is the typical marker for feminine nouns.
- The word idioma is a 'false friend' to the English word 'idiom', as in Spanish it refers to the entire language, whereas in English an 'idiom' is just a specific phrase.
- The word idioma comes from the Greek word ἰδίωμα, which originally meant a 'peculiarity' or a 'characteristic' of a person rather than a spoken tongue.
Examples in context
- Necesito cambiar la configuración del idioma en mi computadora.I need to change the language settings on my computer.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are looking at a mobile app together.
- DanielElena, no entiendo nada de esta aplicación.Elena, I don't understand anything in this app.
- ElenaTienes que cambiar idioma en los ajustes.You have to change language in the settings.
- Daniel¿Cómo puedo cambiar idioma exactamente?How exactly can I change language?
- ElenaPulsa el icono del globo terráqueo.Press the globe icon.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cambiar, idioma, CC BY-SA 4.0.
