Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| portátil | /poɾˈtatil/ | masculine |
| computador portátil | /komputadoɾ poɾtatil/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| computadora portátil | /komputadoɾa poɾtatil/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| ordenador portátil | /oɾdenadoɾ poɾtatil/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| laptop | /ˈlabtop/ | feminine, masculine |
| lap | /lap/ (from spelling rules) | Mexico, feminine |
The term is used to describe a portable computing device. While many speakers use the English loanword laptop in casual conversation, there are several formal and regional ways to specify the device as a portable computer.
What does it mean word for word?
The word portátil literally means 'portable'.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word often depends on the region. In Spain, the standard term is ordenador portátil, whereas in Latin America, you will more commonly hear computadora portátil or computador portátil. The English loanword laptop is also widely used and understood.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Laptop is considered an informal loanword. For a more formal way to refer to the device, you can use the compound terms computadora portátil or computador portátil.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the word lap is used as a feminine noun. In Latin America, computadora portátil and computador portátil are common, while in Spain, ordenador portátil is the standard term.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adjective to describe a noun, portátil must agree in gender with that noun, such as la computadora portátil (feminine) or el ordenador portátil (masculine). The word laptop can be treated as either masculine or feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/poɾˈtatil/
Did you know?
- The word ordenador comes from the French word ordinateur, reflecting how Spain adopted French terminology for early computing instead of English.
- The word ordenador is derived from ordenar, which means 'to put in order' or 'to organize'.
- The word portátil is technically an adjective that has become a noun, meaning the same way an English speaker might say 'the portable' to mean 'the portable device'.
Examples in context
- Esta laptop es mía.This laptop belongs to me.This sentence shows how to indicate ownership of a laptop.Tatoeba #5045667 by don_ramon, translation #3271936 by CK
- Tom abrió su laptop.Tom opened his laptop.This sentence describes the action of opening a laptop.Tatoeba #3216071 by cueyayotl, translation #2646335 by CK
- Me compré una laptop.I bought myself a laptop.This sentence illustrates the act of purchasing a laptop.Tatoeba #9192355 by hayastan, translation #9192354 by DJ_Saidez
- Me gustaría comprar un nuevo portátil para mis estudios de diseño.I would like to buy a new laptop for my design studies.
- Mi hermana necesita una computadora portátil para su trabajo.My sister needs a laptop for her work.
- ¿Podrías prestarme tu laptop para terminar mi tarea?Could you lend me your laptop to finish my homework?
- ¿Has visto mi ordenador portátil? Lo dejé en la sala.Have you seen my laptop? I left it in the living room.
- Todas las laptops están en la sala de conferencias.All the laptops are in the conference room.
- 38 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Javier are studying in a library.
- María¿Puedo usar tu portátil un momento, Javier?Can I use your laptop for a moment, Javier?
- JavierSí, pero ten cuidado con el portátil.Yes, but be careful with the laptop.
- MaríaGracias, mi portátil no carga hoy.Thanks, my laptop isn't charging today.
- JavierNo hay problema, María.No problem, María.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “laptop” translations and entries portátil, computador portátil, computadora portátil, ordenador portátil, laptop, 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 computador, computadora, ordenador, portátil, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
