candado
/kanˈdado/masculine
The English word 'padlock' is translated into Spanish as candado.
candado is the most common and universally understood term for 'padlock' in Spanish. To express the action of applying a padlock to something, Spanish speakers often use the phrase poner un candado.
Meaning: type of lock (noun)
Which one should you use?
While candado refers to a portable padlock, cerradura refers to a built-in door lock mechanism.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of candado is candados.
How do you pronounce it?
/kanˈdado/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, poner el candado is used as a slang expression to mean ending a conversation or a relationship abruptly.
- The word candado shares its DNA with the English word 'chain', both descending from the Latin 'catēna'.
- The term candado is used in Spanish computing to refer to the 'lock' icon in a browser address bar that indicates a secure HTTPS connection.
Examples in context
- Le rompieron el candado y le robaron todos los aperos de la huerta.They broke the padlock and robbed all of the tools from the farm.This sentence shows how the word candado is used when discussing a broken lock.Tatoeba #5261536 by wallebot, translation #8160900 by magnificentgoddess
- Sus amigos tuvieron que ponerle un candado al congelador para evitar que ella comiese helado.Her friends had to padlock the freezer to prevent her from eating ice cream.This sentence demonstrates the use of the phrase candado in the context of securing an object.Tatoeba #939402 by Shishir, translation #939400 by Scott
- Por favor, trae el candado.Please bring the padlock.
- No olvides ponerle la trava a la maleta.Don't forget to put the lock on the suitcase.
- El candado de la bicicleta es nuevo.The bicycle padlock is new.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are at a gym locker.
- ElenaMateo, ¿tienes la llave del candado?Mateo, do you have the key to the padlock?
- MateoNo, creo que la dejé en el coche.No, I think I left it in the car.
- ElenaEntonces no podemos abrir el casillero.Then we cannot open the locker.
- MateoVoy rápido a buscarla.I'll go quickly to look for it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “padlock” translations and entries candado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries candado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
