dispositivo
/disposiˈtibo/masculine
The English phrase 'device' can be translated into Spanish as dispositivo. Wiktionary also lists aparejo.
Meaning: piece of equipment (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| dispositivo | /disposiˈtibo/ | masculine |
| aparejo | /apaˈɾexo/ |
dispositivo is used for electronic, digital or technical equipment.
Which one should you use?
Use dispositivo when referring to electronic or technical equipment. Use aparejo when referring to a mechanical apparatus, rigging or a set of tools used for a specific task.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Venezuela and Colombia, equipo is commonly used to refer to various types of devices. In Mexico, aparatito is a colloquial way to refer to small devices.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of dispositivo is dispositivos.
How do you pronounce it?
/disposiˈtibo/
Did you know?
- In a legal or official context, a 'dispositivo' might not be a physical object at all, but rather a 'dispositivo legal' which refers to a specific legal provision or mechanism.
- The term equipo, used for 'device' in Colombia and Venezuela, also means 'team' in sports, meaning a single word can describe both a laptop and a football squad.
- The word dispositivo shares a root with the English word 'disposition', as both derive from the Latin 'dispositio' meaning 'arrangement' or 'order'.
Examples in context
- Él mejoró el dispositivo.He improved the device.This sentence is useful for seeing the word dispositivo used in a simple context.Tatoeba #4333169 by pchamorro, translation #2137318 by AlanF_US
- Es un dispositivo único capaz de hacer desaparecer el estrés y la melancolía.It's a unique device able to make stress and melancholy vanish.This sentence demonstrates the use of dispositivo to describe a unique piece of equipment.Tatoeba #1249189 by marcelostockle, translation #684070 by papabear
- El cometido de este dispositivo es evitar que la presión de la caldera aumente más de la cuenta.The goal of this device is to keep the boiler pressure from increasing more than the calculation.This sentence shows how dispositivo can refer to a device with a specific functional goal.Tatoeba #3684842 by Seael, translation #10040011 by espamatics
- El profesor utilizó un dispositivo para proyectar la presentación.The teacher used a device to project the presentation.
- El ingeniero está trabajando en un artefacto para facilitar la comunicación.The engineer is working on a device to facilitate communication.
- El hospital ha invertido en nuevos aparatos para mejorar la atención médica.The hospital has invested in new devices to improve healthcare.
- ¿Dónde dejé mi gadget? No puedo encontrar mi teléfono.Where did I leave my gadget? I can't find my phone.
- Mi abuelo arregló el cacharro y ahora funciona perfectamente.My grandfather fixed the device, and now it works perfectly.
- Me compré un nuevo equipo de sonido para mi carro.I bought a new audio system for my car.
- El niño siempre lleva su aparatito de videojuegos a todas partes.The child always carries his little game device everywhere.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are in an electronics store.
- Daniel¿Dónde está el dispositivo nuevo?Where is the new device?
- LucíaEstá en esa mesa, Daniel.It is on that table, Daniel.
- DanielEs un dispositivo muy pequeño.It is a very small device.
- LucíaSí, pero es muy útil.Yes, but it is very useful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “device” translations and entries dispositivo, aparejo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aparejo, dispositivo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
