Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| informática | /infoɾˈmatika/ | feminine |
| computación | /komputaˈθjon/ /komputaˈsjon/ |
feminine |
| ciencia computacional | /θjenθja komputaθjonal/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /sjensja komputasjonal/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
| ciencia informática | /θjenθja infoɾmatika/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /sjensja infoɾmatika/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
The term refers to the study of computers and their architecture. While English uses 'computer science', the most common way to refer to the field of computer science and information technology in Spanish-speaking countries is informática.
Which one should you use?
informática is the most common term for the field and information technology. computación is used to refer to computing or computer science and is more frequent in Latin America. ciencia de la computación is a more literal translation of 'computer science' often used in formal academic or theoretical contexts. The forms ciencia computacional and ciencia informática are also available.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, informática is generally favored over Ciencias de la Computación. In Spain, informática is the standard term and you will often see the alternatives Ingeniería Informática or Ciencias Informáticas. In Mexico, Ingeniería en Computación or Ciencia de la Computadora are sometimes used instead of Ciencias de la Computación.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to computer science as a general field of study, use the definite article with informática, as in la informática.
How do you pronounce it?
/infoɾˈmatika/
Did you know?
- The word informática is a portmanteau created by combining información and automática.
- The term computación shares a common root with the Latin word 'putare', which originally meant 'to prune' or 'to clean'.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, a degree in Ingeniería Informática is considered a full engineering degree, meaning the graduate is legally an engineer, not just a computer scientist.
Examples in context
- La lingüística computacional es una disciplina entre la lingüística y la informática que estudia cómo tratar el lenguaje humano utilizando la inteligencia artificial de los ordenadores.The discipline of computational linguistics, at the intersection of linguistics and computer science, studies how to deal with human language with the help of artificial intelligence.This sentence shows how informática relates to computational linguistics.Tatoeba #609365 by cueyayotl, translation #5295120 by Objectivesea
- La inteligencia artificial es una rama de la informática que se ocupa de la mecánica del razonamiento y del aprendizaje automático.Artificial intelligence is a branch of computer science that deals with the mechanics of reasoning and automatic learning.This sentence describes artificial intelligence as a branch of informática.Tatoeba #10466534 by carlosalberto, translation #10465985 by carlosalberto
- Incluso cuando yo todavía estaba estudiando matemáticas, física y ciencias de la computación, siempre me ha parecido que el problema de la conciencia era posiblemente el más interesante entre aquellos con los que la ciencia se enfrentaría.Even when I was studying mathematics, physics, and computer science, it always seemed that the problem of consciousness was about the most interesting problem out there for science to come to grips with.This sentence uses computación in the context of academic subjects like mathematics and physics.Tatoeba #3471538 by carlosalberto, translation #3471508 by carlosalberto
- Estoy estudiando Ciencias de la Computación en la universidad.I am studying computer science at the university.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing their university majors in the hallway.
- LucíaHola Alejandro, ¿qué carrera estás estudiando?Hello Alejandro, what degree are you studying?
- AlejandroEstoy estudiando informática en la universidad.I am studying computer science at the university.
- Lucía¡Qué bien! Me gusta mucho la informática.That's great! I really like computer science.
- AlejandroEs una carrera muy interesante y útil.It is a very interesting and useful career.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “computer science” translations and entries informática, computación, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ciencia, computacional, computación, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
