portátil
/poɾˈtatil/
The English phrase 'portable' is translated into Spanish as portátil. Wiktionary also lists portable.
Meaning: able to be carried or moved (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| portátil | /poɾˈtatil/ |
| portable | /poɾˈtable/ |
portátil is an adjective used to describe something that is able to be carried or moved. In many Spanish-speaking regions, the phrase computadora portátil is the standard way to say 'laptop'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective portátil is invariable in gender but must agree in number with the noun it modifies, becoming portátiles in the plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/poɾˈtatil/
Did you know?
- The root of portátil, the verb portar, is also found in the English word 'porter', the person who carries luggage.
- Spanish speakers often use the noun portátil on its own as a shorthand for ordenador portátil or computadora portátil, effectively turning the adjective into a noun.
- In Spain, you will most often hear ordenador portátil, while in Mexico and Colombia, computadora portátil is the standard phrase.
Examples in context
- Mi computadora portátil usa Linux.My portable computer uses Linux.This sentence shows how to use portátil when talking about a computer.Tatoeba #5056479 by don_ramon, translation #5055334 by Objectivesea
- Mi computadora portátil corre bajo Linux.My portable computer runs Linux.This sentence demonstrates the use of portátil in a sentence about a computer running a specific operating system.Tatoeba #5056481 by don_ramon, translation #5055333 by Objectivesea
- El Dr. Hawking se comunica con la ayuda de un sintetizador del habla y una computadora portátil.Dr. Hawking communicates with the aid of a speech synthesizer and a portable computer.This sentence illustrates the use of portátil when describing a computer used for communication.Tatoeba #11948856 by Eremon, translation #3958924 by Hybrid
- Necesito un ordenador portátil para trabajarI need a portable computer to work
- El equipo de laboratorio es transportableThe laboratory equipment is transportable
- ¿Me prestas tu portátil para navegar por internet?Can you lend me your laptop to browse the internet?
- Necesito un ordenador portátil pequeño para viajarI need a small portable computer for traveling
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are looking at electronics in a store.
- Elena¿Es este altavoz portátil, Javier?Is this speaker portable, Javier?
- JavierSí, Elena, es muy compacto.Yes, Elena, it is very compact.
- ElenaPerfecto, me vendría bien algo así.Perfect, something like that would be useful for me.
- JavierEntonces deberías probarlo ahora mismo.Then you should try it out right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “portable” translations and entries portátil, portable, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
