¡Hola! Welcome to this comprehensive guide on how to say “laptop” in Spanish. Whether you’re looking to communicate in a formal or informal setting, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we will explore various ways to express this term, provide useful tips, examples, and cover regional variations, if necessary. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Laptop” in Spanish
If you’re in a more professional or formal environment, these are the phrases you can use:
1. Portátil
The most commonly used term for “laptop” in Spanish is “portátil”. It is understood and widely used across different Spanish-speaking countries. Here’s an example sentence:
“Me gustaría comprar un nuevo portátil para mis estudios de diseño.”
(I would like to buy a new laptop for my design studies.)
2. Computadora Portátil
Another formal way to refer to a laptop is by using the compound term “computadora portátil”, which directly translates to “portable computer.” This phrase is more common in Latin America. Example:
“Mi hermana necesita una computadora portátil para su trabajo.”
(My sister needs a laptop for her work.)
Informal Ways to Say “Laptop” in Spanish
For casual conversations or informal situations with friends or family, these phrases are commonly used:
1. Laptop
Due to the influence of the English language, especially among younger generations, many Spanish speakers also use the term “laptop” itself, pronouncing it with a Spanish accent. Example:
“¿Podrías prestarme tu laptop para terminar mi tarea?”
(Could you lend me your laptop to finish my homework?)
2. Ordenador Portátil
In Spain, the phrase “ordenador portátil” is commonly used in informal situations. It is similar to “computadora portátil” but uses the Spanish word for “computer.” Example:
“¿Has visto mi ordenador portátil? Lo dejé en la sala.”
(Have you seen my laptop? I left it in the living room.)
Tips and Additional Phrases
Here are some extra tips and phrases to expand your knowledge:
1. Need to be more specific?
If you want to specify the brand or model of a laptop, you can add it to the phrases above. For example:
“He comprado una nueva MacBook Pro. ¡Es una portátil increíble!”
(I bought a new MacBook Pro. It’s an incredible laptop!)
2. Alternate terms and slang
In some regions, you may come across alternative terms or slang for “laptop.” For instance, in Mexico, you might hear “lapi” or “la compu” instead of “portátil” or “computadora portátil.” Keep in mind that these variations might not be universally understood.
3. Using plural form?
In Spanish, when referring to multiple laptops, you simply add an “s” at the end of the noun:
“Todas las laptops están en la sala de conferencias.”
(All the laptops are in the conference room.)
4. Differentiating laptops and tablets
While the term “laptop” encompasses both laptops and tablets in English, in Spanish, it’s essential to differentiate between them. For a tablet, you can use “tableta” or “tablet” pronounced with a Spanish accent.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of our guide on how to say “laptop” in Spanish. Now you’re equipped with both formal and informal expressions to use in various contexts. Remember the phrases we covered: “portátil,” “computadora portátil,” “laptop,” and “ordenador portátil.” Don’t forget to consider regional variations if necessary and keep in mind additional tips like being more specific or distinguishing between laptops and tablets. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)
