reloj
/reˈlox/masculine
The English phrase "clock" is reloj in Spanish.
The word reloj refers to an instrument used to measure or keep track of time. This term is used for both wall clocks and wristwatches. If you are referring specifically to the hand of a clock, the word is manecilla. Related verbs include cronometrar to measure duration and medir la velocidad de to measure speed.
Meaning: instrument to measure or keep track of time (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of reloj is relojes.
How do you pronounce it?
/reˈlox/
Did you know?
- The root of reloj comes from the Ancient Greek hōrológion, which combines words for 'hour' and 'speaking' or 'telling'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, giving a reloj as a gift can be seen as a symbol of the passage of time or a reminder of mortality.
- The Spanish phrase dar la hora is used when a clock strikes or tells the time, moving the focus from the object reloj to the action of giving.
Examples in context
- Le dio un reloj.She gave him a clock.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use reloj in a gift-giving context.Tatoeba #1993006 by Shishir, translation #453914 by saasmath
- ¿No ves el reloj?Don't you see the clock?This sentence is useful for practicing a question containing reloj.Tatoeba #1281645 by Shishir, translation #1493048 by CK
- Pon bien el reloj.Put the clock right.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use reloj when discussing setting or adjusting a clock.Tatoeba #1608712 by teskmon, translation #264010 by sundown
- ¿Me puedes decir qué hora es? Olvidé revisar mi relojito.Can you tell me the time? I forgot to check my little clock.
- Amiga, dime la hora, por favor. Mi reloj se descompuso.Friend, tell me the time, please. My clock stopped working.
- 108 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are in a living room.
- Elena¿A qué hora es la cena, Daniel?What time is dinner, Daniel?
- DanielNo sé, no tengo un reloj conmigo.I don't know, I don't have a watch with me.
- ElenaMira el reloj de la cocina.Look at the kitchen clock.
- DanielAh, ya veo la hora.Ah, I see the time now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clock” translations and entries reloj, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries reloj, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
