Which one should you use?
Use batería when referring to a complete drum kit. If you are referring to individual drums or a group of drums used in ensembles or marching bands, the word is tambores.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras, redoblante is the term used specifically for a snare drum. In Venezuela, parche can refer to the drumhead or the drum as a whole. In Cuba, the word for a conga drum is tumbadora.
How does it change in a sentence?
Batería is a feminine noun, so it is used with the feminine article la when referring to the drum kit.
How do you pronounce it?
/bateˈɾia/
When do people say it?
In flamenco music, the term cajón flamenco is used to describe a percussive box used as a drum. To refer to a person who plays the drums, the word is baterista and the general term for percussion is percusión.
Did you know?
- In military history, a batería referred to a group of cannons or artillery pieces acting as a single unit.
- The word batería comes from the French 'batterie', which is derived from the Latin verb 'battere' meaning 'to beat'.
- The Spanish word batería is shared with the term for an electrical 'battery' because both originally referred to a collection or series of similar items.
Examples in context
- Tom toca la batería.Tom plays the drums.This sentence is useful for stating who plays the batería.Tatoeba #9475861 by hayastan, translation #2548081 by CK
- Le encanta la música y toca la batería.He loves music and plays the drums.This sentence is useful for expressing a love of music and playing the batería.Tatoeba #10767177 by cristinae, translation #10767174 by cristinae
- Siempre quise aprender a tocar la batería.I've always wanted to learn to play the drums.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to learn to play the batería.Tatoeba #2246122 by marcelostockle, translation #2060647 by CK
- El tambor es un instrumento fundamental en una banda de música.The drums are a fundamental instrument in a music band.
- Vamos a formar una banda, tú tocas la batería, ¿vale?Let's form a band, you play the drums, okay?
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are talking about music in a cafe.
- Alejandro¿Tienes una batería en casa?Do you have a drum set at home?
- MaríaNo, pero mi hermano tiene una batería.No, but my brother has a drum set.
- AlejandroQué bien, ¿él toca la batería?That's great, does he play the drums?
- MaríaSí, es un gran baterista.Yes, he is a great drummer.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry batería, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries batería, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
