interruptor
/interubˈtoɾ/masculine
The Spanish word for light switch is interruptor.
The word interruptor is used to refer to the device used to turn a light on or off. While you can use interruptor on its own, speakers often use the phrase interruptor de la luz to specifically clarify that they are talking about a light switch.
Meaning: switch used to turn the light on or off (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term interruptor comes from the verb interrumpir (to interrupt) and literally means an 'interrupter' of an electrical circuit.
Which one should you use?
The term interruptor is the standard way to say light switch, whereas conmutador is a more general formal term meaning 'switch'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of interruptor is interruptores.
How do you pronounce it?
/interubˈtoɾ/
Did you know?
- If you use the word conmutador in a Spanish-speaking country, you might not be talking about electricity at all, but rather a 'telephone switchboard'.
- While interruptor is the standard term, in many parts of Latin America, you might hear people simply call it an apagador, which literally means 'the turner-off'.
- To specify a dimmer switch, Spanish speakers use the term interruptor regulable, which literally means 'adjustable interrupter'.
Examples in context
- Busco el interruptor de la luz.I'm looking for the light switch.This sentence is useful for practicing how to say you are looking for the interruptor.Tatoeba #8323935 by arh, translation #9004211 by helloroto
- ¿Podría indicarme dónde está el interruptor de luz, por favor?Could you please show me where the light switch is?
- ¿Dónde está el interruptor de la luz? No puedo encontrarlo.Where is the light switch? I can't find it.
- El interruptor está roto.The light switch is broken.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are in a dark room.
- DanielNo veo nada, ¿dónde está el interruptor?I can't see anything, where is the light switch?
- SofíaEstá justo a la derecha de la puerta.It is right next to the door.
- DanielYa lo encontré.I found it.
- SofíaQué bueno, ahora ya podemos ver.Great, now we can see.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “light switch” translations and entries interruptor, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
