Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| computadora | /komputaˈdoɾa/ | Latin America, feminine |
| computador | /komputaˈdoɾ/ | Chile, Colombia, masculine |
| ordenador | /oɾdenaˈdoɾ/ | Spain, masculine |
All three terms refer to a programmable electronic device. Throughout the Spanish-speaking world, the abbreviation PC is also used informally to mean a personal computer.
Which one should you use?
In Spain, the standard term is ordenador. In most of Latin America, computadora is the most common term. However, in specific Latin American countries such as Chile and Colombia, the masculine form computador is frequently used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
ordenador is used in Spain, while computadora is the most common term in Latin America. In Chile and Colombia, you will often hear computador.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form computadora is a feminine noun and requires feminine articles such as la. The forms ordenador and computador are masculine nouns and require masculine articles such as el.
How do you pronounce it?
/komputaˈdoɾa/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word ordenador comes from the verb ordenar, which means 'to put in order' or 'to organize'. This reflects a conceptual view of the machine as a tool for organizing data rather than just calculating it.
- The term ordenador was heavily influenced by the French word ordinateur. This explains why Spain uses a term based on 'order' while most of Latin America uses a term based on 'computation'.
- The term computador is derived from the Latin computator, which originally referred to a person who performed calculations by hand.
Examples in context
- El ordenador es nuevo.The computer is new.This sentence is useful for describing the state of an ordenador.Tatoeba #475349 by Shishir, translation #50353 by CK
- Mi computador es caro.My computer is expensive.This sentence is useful for describing the cost of a computador.Tatoeba #1457828 by marcelostockle, translation #1098625 by cntrational
- No tengo un ordenador.I don't have a computer.This sentence is useful for expressing the absence of an ordenador.Tatoeba #3265697 by cueyayotl, translation #1773405 by Spamster
- Mi hermana trabaja en una empresa de tecnología y utiliza el ordenador todo el día.My sister works in a technology company and uses the computer all day.
- El equipo informático de la empresa necesita actualizarse.The company's computer equipment needs to be updated.
- Mi primo tiene un buen computador para jugar videojuegos.My cousin has a good computer to play video games.
- Esta PC es muy rápida y eficiente para trabajar.This PC is very fast and efficient for work.
- 442 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are talking in a living room.
- Elena¿Dónde está mi computadora?Where is my computer?
- JavierEstá sobre la mesa, Elena.It is on the table, Elena.
- ElenaGracias, la necesito para trabajar.Thanks, I need it to work.
- JavierDe nada, que te sea útil.You're welcome, I hope it's useful to you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “computer” translations and entries computadora, computador, ordenador, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries computador, computadora, ordenador, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
