cambiar a inglés
/kambjaɾ a inɡles/from spelling rules
The phrase "change to english" in Spanish is cambiar a inglés.
cambiar a inglés is a phrase commonly used as a command or as a menu option within software interfaces to indicate switching the display language.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb cambiar (to change), the preposition a (to) and the noun inglés (English).
How does it change in a sentence?
It is common to refer to the language itself by adding the definite article el (which contracts with the preposition a to form al), resulting in the phrase cambiar al inglés.
How do you pronounce it?
/kambjaɾ a inɡles/
Did you know?
- The word inglés entered the Spanish language not directly from English, but via Old French angleis.
- In Spanish, the word cambiar can be used both for changing a language setting and for exchanging money at a currency booth.
- If you ask a Spaniard to cambiar something, they might interpret it as 'replacing' an item entirely rather than just altering its state.
Examples in context
- ¿Sería posible hablar en inglés?Would it be possible to speak in English?
- Pásate al inglés. Quería preguntarte sobre la película que vimos ayer.Switch to English. I wanted to ask you about the movie we watched yesterday.
- Puedes cambiar a inglés, por favor?Can you change to English, please?
- Voy a cambiar a inglés para la clase.I am going to change to English for the class.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are adjusting the settings on a shared computer.
- Mateo¿Cómo podemos cambiar a inglés en este programa?How can we change to English in this program?
- MaríaDebes ir a la configuración, Mateo.You must go to settings, Mateo.
- MateoEntiendo, gracias por la ayuda, María.I understand, thanks for the help, María.
- MaríaDe nada, cualquier cosa me dices.You're welcome, tell me if you need anything.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, cambiar, inglés, CC BY-SA 4.0.
