auriculares
/auɾikuˈlaɾes/
The Spanish word for earbuds is auriculares.
The term refers to small headphones that fit directly inside the ear canal.
Which one should you use?
While auriculares is a general term for any headphones, it is the standard term used for earbuds in most Spanish-speaking contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Latin American countries, such as Mexico, the word audífonos is more commonly used than auriculares to refer to earbuds.
How do you pronounce it?
/auɾikuˈlaɾes/
Did you know?
- The word auriculares is derived from aurícula, which in a medical context refers to the atrium of the heart as well as the outer ear. This means the same root is used for two completely different biological pumps in the body.
- In some regions, people distinguish between auriculares and cascos. While both mean headphones, cascos literally translates to 'helmets', emphasizing the way the device wraps around the entire head.
- While audífonos is common in the Americas, in Spain it can specifically refer to hearing aids used by people with hearing loss rather than consumer earbuds.
Examples in context
- ¿Dónde compraste los auriculares nuevos?Where did you buy the new earbuds?
- Me olvidé mis cascos en casaI forgot my earbuds at home
- ¡No olvides tus audífonos para el viaje!Don't forget your earbuds for the trip!
- El móvil venía con unos manos libres muy buenosThe mobile phone came with very good earbuds
- ¿Podría recomendarme unos auriculares de buena calidad?Could you recommend me some good-quality earbuds?
- Tengo que comprar unos auris nuevosI have to buy new earbuds
- Me encanta relajarme escuchando música con mis aurisI love relaxing while listening to music with my earbuds
- Mis auriculares nuevos son inalámbricos.My new earbuds are wireless.
- ¿Dónde dejé mis auriculares?Where did I leave my earbuds?
- Necesito comprar unos auriculares pequeños.I need to buy some small earbuds.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are at home looking for lost items.
- AlejandroMaría, ¿has visto mis auriculares?María, have you seen my earbuds?
- MaríaNo, no los he visto por ningún lado.No, I haven't seen them anywhere.
- AlejandroEstán sobre la mesa de la cocina.They are on the kitchen table.
- MaríaAh, sí, los acabo de encontrar.Ah, yes, I just found them.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry auriculares, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
