fondo de pantalla
/ˌfondo de panˈtaʝa/
The English phrase 'phone wallpaper' is translated into Spanish as fondo de pantalla.
fondo de pantalla is the standard term for a phone wallpaper. However, the term is broad and can be used to describe any digital background, such as those used on computers or tablets.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'background of screen' (fondo de pantalla).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, fondo de pantalla is the term used specifically for a home screen wallpaper.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural 'phone wallpapers', you should pluralize the noun fondo to fondos, resulting in fondos de pantalla. You do not pluralize the word pantalla.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌfondo de panˈtaʝa/
Did you know?
- The word pantalla for 'screen' has an unexpected history as a loanword from the Catalan or Italian words for 'fan'. It is believed to have originated from the word for a folding fan, likely due to the way a screen or screen-like object might be used.
- In Spanish, the word fondo describes not just a digital wallpaper but also the bottom of a pool, the depths of the ocean and the background of a painting.
- While fondo de pantalla is the standard term, Spanish speakers often use the English word 'wallpaper' in casual tech circles or when discussing design trends on social media.
Examples in context
- ¿Cuál es el fondo de pantalla de tu celular?What's your phone wallpaper?
- Mi fondo de pantalla muestra una hermosa playaMy wallpaper shows a beautiful beach
- Tu fondo de pantalla es realmente impresionanteYour wallpaper is truly impressive
- Me gusta personalizar el fondo de pantalla de mi teléfonoI enjoy personalizing my phone wallpaper
- Me gusta tu nuevo fondo de pantalla.I like your new phone wallpaper.
- ¿Dónde descargaste ese fondo de pantalla?Where did you download that wallpaper?
- Voy a cambiar el fondo de pantalla de mi móvil.I am going to change my phone wallpaper.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are looking at a smartphone in a cafe.
- Javier¿Qué es ese fondo de pantalla tan bonito?What is that beautiful wallpaper?
- LucíaEs una foto de mi perro.It is a photo of my dog.
- Javier¡Qué tierno! Yo necesito un fondo de pantalla así.How cute! I need a wallpaper like that.
- LucíaTe puedo pasar la imagen, Javier.I can send you the image, Javier.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry fondo de pantalla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, fondo, pantalla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
