cable eléctrico
/kable eleɡtɾiko/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for electrical wire is cable eléctrico.
Cable eléctrico refers to a metal conductor covered in insulation used to carry electricity from one place to another. In technical contexts, you may encounter terms that emphasize different parts of the object, such as hilo conductor for the conductor part or conductor eléctrico to emphasize the conductor element.
Which one should you use?
Use cable eléctrico when referring to a thicker, insulated wire or a cable assembly. In contrast, use alambre or alambre eléctrico to refer to thin, bare metal wires or those that are uninsulated or minimally insulated.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must change to their plural forms, resulting in cables eléctricos.
Did you know?
- When a technician removes the insulation from a wire, they do not say they are 'stripping' it, but rather that they are pelando el cable, which literally means 'peeling the cable' as if it were fruit.
- The word eléctrico is derived from the Ancient Greek word ḗlektron, meaning 'amber', because rubbing amber produces static electricity.
- In certain Caribbean regions, a flexible electrical cord is called a cordón, which is the same word used for a 'shoelace' or a 'decorative ribbon'.
Examples in context
- Necesito comprar un cable eléctrico nuevoI need to buy a new electrical wire
- El hilo conductor debe ser de cobreThe conductor wire should be made of copper
- El edificio requiere un conductor eléctrico de gran capacidadThe building requires a high-capacity electrical wire
- El cordón eléctrico debe estar bien aisladoThe electrical wire must be well-insulated
- Pásame ese cable que necesito conectar la lámparaPass me that wire, I need to connect the lamp
- Necesito un alambre para reparar este enchufeI need a wire to fix this electrical outlet
- Podemos utilizar este cable eléctrico para conectar la lámpara al enchufe.We can use this electrical wire to connect the lamp to the outlet.
- Necesito un hilo conductor de alta resistencia para esta instalación.I need a high-resistance conductor wire for this installation.
- Pásame ese cable, por favor. Quiero revisar la conexión.Pass me that wire, please. I want to check the connection.
- Voy a comprar un alambre para reparar el interruptor de la luzI'm going to buy a wire to fix the light switch
- El cable eléctrico está pelado.The electrical wire is stripped.
- Necesito comprar un cable eléctrico nuevo.I need to buy a new electrical wire.
- El cable eléctrico está dañado.The electrical wire is damaged.
- Ten cuidado con ese cable eléctrico.Be careful with that electrical wire.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are fixing a lamp in the living room.
- Daniel¿Ves el cable eléctrico que está suelto?Do you see the electrical wire that is loose?
- MaríaSí, Daniel, lo veo aquí.Yes, Daniel, I see it here.
- DanielPásame el cable eléctrico para arreglarlo.Hand me the electrical wire to fix it.
- MaríaAquí tienes, ten cuidado.Here you go, be careful.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cable, eléctrico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
