metro
/ˈmetɾo/masculine
The English word 'meter' can be translated into Spanish as metro, medidor or contador depending on whether you mean a unit of length or a measuring device.
Meaning: measuring instrument (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| metro | /ˈmetɾo/ | masculine |
| medidor | /mediˈdoɾ/ | masculine |
| contador | /kontaˈdoɾ/ | masculine |
In Spanish, the word for 'meter' changes based on what is being measured. Use metro for the unit of measurement, medidor for a general measuring instrument and contador for utility meters that track consumption.
Which one should you use?
metro is used for the standard unit of length or distance. medidor is the standard term for a general device that measures a specific quantity. contador is used specifically for utility meters that count how much of a resource, such as electricity or water, has been consumed.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, metro is used to refer to both the unit of length and the subway system.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmetɾo/
Did you know?
- Because contador means 'one who counts', it is used for both the mechanical device on a wall and a professional accountant.
- The word contador comes from contar, which means both 'to count' and 'to tell a story'.
- While metro refers to a measuring tool or length, it is also the word for the subway because it is a clipping of métropolitain.
Examples in context
- Por favor lee el medidor.Please read the meter.This sentence is useful for practicing how to ask someone to read a medidor.Tatoeba #5450001 by albrusgher, translation #441961 by CK
- ¿Cuánto cuesta un metro de esa seda roja?How much does a meter of that red silk cost?This sentence shows how to use metro when talking about a length of fabric.Tatoeba #4872436 by ecorralest101, translation #4872377 by derpapottamus
- Un metro cúbico corresponde a 1000 litros.A cubic meter corresponds to 1000 liters.This sentence demonstrates the use of metro when discussing volume.Tatoeba #2902 by Shishir, translation #1756 by Swift
- ¡Es solo un metro!It's just one meter!
- Mi habitación mide tres metros de largo.My room is three meters long.
- ¿Sabes cuántos metros son en una milla?Do you know how many meters are in a mile?
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are fixing a piece of furniture.
- MaríaAlejandro, ¿tienes un metro a mano?Alejandro, do you have a measuring tape handy?
- AlejandroSí, el metro está sobre la mesa.Yes, the measuring tape is on the table.
- MaríaGracias, necesito medir este tablero.Thanks, I need to measure this board.
- AlejandroEstá bien, María. Úsalo con cuidado.That's fine, María. Use it carefully.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “meter” translations and entries metro, medidor, contador, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries contador, medidor, metro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
