disyuntor
/disʝunˈtoɾ/masculine
The English phrase circuit breaker is translated into Spanish as disyuntor. Wiktionary also lists disjuntor and cortacircuitos.
Meaning: high-current electrical switch (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| disyuntor | /disʝunˈtoɾ/ | masculine |
| disjuntor | /disxunˈtoɾ/ | masculine |
| cortacircuitos | /koɾtaθiɾkwitos/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /koɾtasiɾkwitos/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| cortacorriente | /ˌkoɾtakoˈrjente/ | masculine |
All these terms refer to a high-current electrical switch. In technical fields like electrical engineering and formal documentation, disyuntor is the most common term used.
Which one should you use?
While disyuntor is the standard technical term, you may also encounter interruptor automático to describe an automatic switch. The form Interruptor de Circuito is a formal translation, and disjuntor is a variant spelling. Cortacircuitos and cortacorriente are also used to refer to the device.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term disyuntor is a formal term used in certain Spanish-speaking regions, particularly in South America.
How does it change in a sentence?
All provided forms are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/disʝunˈtoɾ/
Did you know?
- In Mexico and Central America, people often bypass the Spanish translations entirely and use the English loanword breaker when shopping at hardware stores.
- The phrase se cortó la corriente can describe a neighborhood-wide power outage, whereas in English, 'the current was cut' usually implies a deliberate action.
- The word corriente in cortacorriente refers to electrical current, but it is the same word used to describe the flow of a river or a gust of air.
Examples in context
- Por razones de seguridad, es fundamental revisar periódicamente el estado de los disyuntores en tu hogar.For safety reasons, it is essential to periodically check the condition of the circuit breakers in your home.
- No puedo encender el equipo porque el cortacircuitos se activó.I can't turn on the device because the circuit breaker tripped.
- El disyuntor se apagó de repente.The circuit breaker shut off suddenly.
- Necesitamos cambiar el disyuntor viejo.We need to change the old circuit breaker.
- Revisa si el disyuntor saltó.Check if the circuit breaker tripped.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are in their kitchen during a power outage.
- Alejandro¿Sabes qué pasó con la luz?Do you know what happened to the lights?
- MaríaCreo que saltó el disyuntor.I think the circuit breaker tripped.
- AlejandroVoy a revisar el panel eléctrico.I am going to check the electrical panel.
- MaríaTen cuidado, Alejandro.Be careful, Alejandro.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “circuit breaker” translations and entries disyuntor, disjuntor, cortacorriente, 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.
