tengo un ordenador
/tenɡo un oɾdenadoɾ/from spelling rules
To say I have got a computer in Spanish, use tengo un ordenador.
tengo un ordenador states that you own a computer.
What does it mean word for word?
tengo means I have and un ordenador means a computer.
Which one should you use?
ordenador is the word used in Spain. Most of the Americas say computadora instead, as in tengo una computadora. Note that it is feminine, so the article changes to una.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, people say tengo una computadora rather than tengo un ordenador.
How does it change in a sentence?
tengo is the first person singular present of tener. To say you have a computer, change it to tienes un ordenador.
How do you pronounce it?
In IPA it is /tenɡo un oɾdenadoɾ/.
Did you know?
- The word tengo comes from tener, which is also used to express physical sensations. Instead of saying 'I am hungry' or 'I am cold', Spanish speakers say tengo hambre and tengo frío, literally meaning 'I have hunger' and 'I have cold'.
- While ordenador refers to a computer in Spain, the word ordenador in several Latin American countries can actually mean a 'planner' or a 'coordinator' of a specific event.
- The word ordenador shares its Latin root ordinātor with the English word 'ordinal', reflecting the computer's original role as a machine that puts things in a specific order.
Examples in context
- Tengo un ordenador nuevo.I have got a new computer.
- Tengo un ordenador en mi habitación.I have got a computer in my room.
- Por fin tengo un ordenador.I finally have got a computer.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are talking about their studies at home.
- JavierTengo un ordenador para estudiar.I have got a computer to study.
- Sofía¿Es muy rápido tu ordenador?Is your computer very fast?
- JavierSí, es un modelo muy moderno.Yes, it is a very modern model.
- SofíaQué bueno, Javier.That's good, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ordenador, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
