dispositivo portátil
/dispositibo poɾtatil/from spelling rules
The English phrase "handheld device" is translated into Spanish as dispositivo portátil.
This phrase refers to a small electronic tool designed to be carried and used in one's hand.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of dispositivo, meaning device and portátil, meaning portable.
Which one should you use?
While dispositivo de mano is a literal translation of "handheld device", dispositivo portátil is the more natural and common way to refer to such electronics in Spanish. Additionally, dispositivo móvil is a formal way to say both "handheld device" and "mobile device", while terminal portátil is often used as a synonym in technical or commercial contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must take the plural suffix -s, resulting in dispositivos portátiles.
Did you know?
- The word dispositivo can also refer to a 'deployment' of police or military forces in a specific area to maintain order.
- The word portátil shares a root with the English word 'portable', but in Spanish, it is also the standard word for a 'laptop' computer. You might hear someone say un portátil to refer to their entire computer.
- While dispositivo is the standard term, in many Latin American countries, people colloquially refer to handheld gadgets simply as aparatos. This word is much more informal and translates closer to 'apparatus' or 'gadget'.
Examples in context
- La empresa presentó un nuevo dispositivo portátil.The company introduced a new handheld device.
- Por favor, apague su dispositivo móvil durante el vuelo.Please turn off your handheld device during the flight.
- No puedo salir de casa sin mi dispositivo portátil. ¡Es mi gadget favorito!I can't leave the house without my handheld device. It's my favorite gadget!
- Siempre está jugando con su gadget.He's always playing with his handheld device.
- ¿Tienes un dispositivo portátil?Do you have a handheld device?
- Olvidé mi gadget en casa.I forgot my gadget at home.
- Siempre está en su dispositivo móvil.She's always on her mobile device.
- Necesito un dispositivo portátil para el mapa.I need a handheld device for the map.
- Este dispositivo portátil es muy ligero.This handheld device is very light.
- ¿Dónde dejaste el dispositivo portátil?Where did you leave the handheld device?
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are looking at a new gadget in a store.
- MateoMira este dispositivo portátil, es increíble.Look at this handheld device, it's incredible.
- SofíaTienes razón, Mateo. Parece muy útil.You are right, Mateo. It looks very useful.
- MateoCreo que compraré este dispositivo portátil hoy.I think I will buy this handheld device today.
- SofíaEs una buena compra, Sofía lo aprueba.It is a good purchase, Sofía approves.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
