auriculares
/auɾikuˈlaɾes/masculine, plural
The English phrase 'headphones' can be translated into Spanish as auriculares, cascos or audífonos.
Meaning: pair of speakers worn over or in the ears so only the wearer can hear the sound (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| auriculares | /auɾikuˈlaɾes/ | masculine, plural |
| cascos | /ˈkaskos/ | masculine, plural |
| audífonos | /auˈdifonos/ | masculine, plural |
All forms refer to a pair of speakers worn over or in the ears so only the wearer can hear the sound. The phrase Manos libres is used in Spain and some Latin American countries to refer to hands-free devices that include earphones or headphones.
Which one should you use?
auriculares is the most neutral and widely understood term for headphones across the Spanish-speaking world.
Is it said differently in some regions?
cascos is the common term used for headphones in Spain. audífonos is the most common term for headphones in many Latin American countries.
How does it change in a sentence?
All three terms are masculine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/auɾikuˈlaɾes/
Did you know?
- While cascos literally means 'helmets' in Spanish, it is the most common way to refer to over-ear headphones in Spain.
- While audífonos refers to headphones in Latin America, in Spain it almost exclusively refers to medical hearing aids.
- The term auriculares is derived from the Latin 'auricula', meaning 'little ear'. This follows a common Spanish pattern of using diminutive roots for anatomical terms.
Examples in context
- Tomás se quitó los auriculares.Tom took off his headphones.This sentence is useful for showing the action of taking off auriculares.Tatoeba #5033292 by don_ramon, translation #2643513 by CK
- Ponte los cascos y escucha esto.Put on your headphones and listen to this.This sentence is useful for showing the command to put on cascos.Tatoeba #10349653 by Seael, translation #10833035 by SillyDonut7
- No puedo escuchar nada cuando estoy usando estos auriculares.When I'm using headphones I can't hear anything.This sentence is useful for describing the experience of using auriculares.Tatoeba #1554626 by hayastan, translation #5226776 by jaxhere
- ¿Puedo usar mis cascos/auriculares?Can I use my headphones?
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are in their living room.
- JavierMaría, ¿has visto mis auriculares?María, have you seen my headphones?
- MaríaEstán sobre la mesa, junto a tu portátil.They are on the table, next to your laptop.
- JavierAh, gracias. Los necesitaba para trabajar.Ah, thanks. I needed them to work.
- MaríaNo hay problema, Javier.No problem, Javier.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “headphones” translations and entries auriculares, cascos, audífonos, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
