disco duro
/ˌdisko ˈduɾo/masculine
The Spanish phrase for hard drive is disco duro.
The term disco duro refers to a device used for storing large amounts of data.
Meaning: device used for storing large amounts of data (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
This phrase is a literal translation of 'hard disk', where disco means 'disk' and duro means 'hard'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, you can use disco duro externo to refer specifically to an external hard drive.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is a masculine noun. To make it plural, you must pluralize both the noun and the adjective to form discos duros.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌdisko ˈduɾo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the feminine article la (as in la disco duro). While English speakers may be influenced by the feminine noun unidad (unit), the word disco is masculine and requires the masculine article el.
Did you know?
- Because disco is also shorthand for discoteca (a nightclub), the phrase disco duro could jokingly be interpreted as a 'tough nightclub'.
- The term disco traces back to the Greek word δίσκος, meaning a circular object, and is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'dish'.
- The word disco was used for an Olympic sporting tool long before it was ever used to describe digital storage.
Examples in context
- Mi disco duro está casi lleno.My hard drive is almost full.This sentence is useful for describing the storage capacity of your disco duro.Tatoeba #1713622 by marcelostockle, translation #1440643 by CK
- Guárdalo en el disco duro externo.Save it on the external hard drive.This sentence is useful for giving instructions to save data onto an external disco duro.Tatoeba #816289 by jayefes65, translation #21846 by CK
- Copiame el archivo de tu disco duro a mi lápiz USB.Copy the file from your hard drive to my USB stick.This sentence is useful for requesting a file transfer from one disco duro to another device.Tatoeba #1344384 by wallebot, translation #9145840 by rafaeldejesus8199
- Mi computadora necesita un disco duro nuevo.My computer needs a new hard drive.
- ¿Sabes cómo liberar espacio en mi disco rígido?Do you know how to free up space on my hard drive?
- El disco duro está lleno.The hard drive is full.
- Mis discos rígidos necesitan más espacio.My hard drives need more space.
- El disco duro funciona correctamente.The hard drive works correctly.
- Mis discos rígidos están llenos.My hard drives are full.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are at a computer repair shop.
- Alejandro¿Cuánto cuesta un disco duro nuevo?How much does a new hard drive cost?
- MaríaDepende de la capacidad del disco duro.It depends on the capacity of the hard drive.
- AlejandroNecesito uno para mi computadora.I need one for my computer.
- MaríaTengo varios modelos disponibles hoy.I have several models available today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hard drive” translations and entries disco duro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries disco, disco duro, duro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
