Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| calefactor | /kalefaɡˈtoɾ/ | masculine |
| jíter | /xiteɾ/ (from spelling rules) | US, masculine |
| heater | /eateɾ/ (from spelling rules) | masculine, alternative form |
A heater is a device that produces and radiates heat.
What does it mean word for word?
The word calefactor is derived from the verb calentar, which means 'to heat'.
Which one should you use?
While calefactor is the standard term, calentador is a common synonym often used to refer to water heaters or small portable units. In some contexts, you may also see the spelling heater, which is an alternative spelling of jíter.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you can use radiador to refer generally to a heater or the more specific term emisor térmico when referring to an electric radiator or panel heater. In certain Spanish contexts influenced by the US, the term jíter is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun calefactor is masculine and is used with the masculine article el to say 'the heater' (el calefactor).
How do you pronounce it?
/kalefaɡˈtoɾ/
Did you know?
- The term jíter is an adaptation of the English word 'heater', but it is phonetically identical to the English word 'jitter', which refers to nervous energy or tremors.
- The word calefactor shares a linguistic root with 'caloric', an obsolete scientific theory that heat was a physical fluid called 'caloric' that flowed into objects.
- The term jíter is a phonetic adaptation of the English word 'heater', reflecting how Spanish speakers sometimes spell foreign words to match their own pronunciation rules.
Examples in context
- Tom encendió el calefactor.Tom turned on the heater.Tatoeba #1278844 by marcelostockle, translation #1141075 by CK
- Nuestro calefactor eléctrico no funcionó bien.Our electric heater did not work well.Tatoeba #863153 by Rafp, translation #247661 by CK
- ¿Has apagado alguna vez el calefactor en invierno?Have you ever switched off the heater in winter?Tatoeba #1726719 by marcelostockle, translation #1725597 by Amastan
- ¿Podrías encender el calentador, por favor?Could you turn on the heater, please?
- Necesitamos un nuevo calefactor para la oficina.We need a new heater for the office.
- ¿Podrías prender la estufa? Hace frío en la habitación.Could you turn on the heater? It's cold in the room.
- Estoy buscando un caloventor portátil para mi dormitorio.I'm looking for a portable heater for my bedroom.
- El termoventilador es perfecto para calentar el baño rápidamente.The fan heater is perfect for quickly heating the bathroom.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are in their living room on a cold evening.
- Mateo¿Puedes encender el calefactor, Lucía?Can you turn on the heater, Lucía?
- LucíaSí, hace mucho frío aquí.Yes, it is very cold in here.
- MateoGracias, el calefactor calienta rápido.Thanks, the heater warms up quickly.
- LucíaDe nada, Mateo.You're welcome, Mateo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “heater” translations and entries calefactor, jíter, heater, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries heater, jíter, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
