altavoz
/altaˈboθ/
In Spanish, music speaker is translated as altavoz.
The term refers to a device that plays sound from an audio source.
What does it mean word for word?
The word altavoz is a compound of alta (high/loud) and voz (voice), literally meaning 'loud voice'.
Which one should you use?
While altavoz is the standard term, parlante is commonly used in several Latin American countries like Argentina and Uruguay to refer to a speaker.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, altavoz is the most common term. In Mexico and other Latin American countries, you can use bocina or parlante. In Argentina, bafle is a popular term for a music speaker.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of altavoz is altavoces.
How do you pronounce it?
/altaˈboθ/
Did you know?
- In many Latin American countries, you might hear the word bocina used for a speaker, but be careful: in Spain, this word almost exclusively refers to a car horn.
- In Spanish, the word voz is feminine, but when it becomes part of the compound altavoz, the whole word is masculine.
- The term parlante shares a root with the verb parlar, which means 'to speak' and is also used in Italian.
Examples in context
- Necesitamos un buen altavoz de música para la conferencia.We need a good music speaker for the conference.
- El reproductor de música viene con altavoces de sonido envolvente.The music player comes with surround sound speakers.
- Tenemos un nuevo bafle que suena genial.We have a new music speaker that sounds amazing.
- El altavoz es muy pequeño.The speaker is very small.
- Necesito un altavoz para la fiesta.I need a speaker for the party.
- ¿Dónde compraste ese altavoz?Where did you buy that speaker?
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are setting up for a small gathering at home.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿tienes un altavoz?Daniel, do you have a speaker?
- DanielSí, tengo uno en el coche.Yes, I have one in the car.
- LucíaPerfecto, tráelo para la música.Perfect, bring it for the music.
- DanielLo haré ahora mismo.I will do it right now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry altavoz, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
