anteojos graduados
/anteoxos ɡɾadwados/from spelling rulesmasculine, plural
In Spanish, prescription glasses is anteojos graduados. Wiktionary also lists espejuelos graduados.
Meaning: Translations (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| anteojos graduados | /anteoxos ɡɾadwados/ (from spelling rules) | masculine, plural |
| espejuelos graduados | /espexwelos ɡɾadwados/ (from spelling rules) | masculine, plural |
Common variations include lentes graduados, which is widely used in many Spanish-speaking regions and more formal options like gafas graduadas or lentes ópticos.
Which one should you use?
While anteojos graduados is a widely understood term across most Spanish-speaking countries, espejuelos graduados is a common regional variation specifically used in parts of the Caribbean and Central America.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela, the word anteojos can be used to refer to glasses in general. In parts of the Caribbean and Central America, you will often hear espejuelos graduados used for prescription glasses.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the noun anteojos is masculine and plural, the adjective graduados must also be masculine and plural to maintain agreement.
Did you know?
- The word graduados used for prescription lenses is the exact same term used for someone who has finished their university studies. An English speaker might find it odd that their eye strength is described using the word for 'graduated'.
- The word espejuelos is a diminutive-style variation of the word for 'mirror', linking the reflective quality of glass to the object itself.
- While anteojos refers to glasses, the singular anteojo historically referred to a telescope or spyglass.
Examples in context
- ¿Dónde puedo comprar gafas graduadas?Where can I buy prescription glasses?
- ¿Tienen gafas con receta?Do you have prescription glasses?
- ¿Me prestas tus lentes recetados?Can I borrow your prescription glasses?
- Te recomiendo que visites un óptico para que te hagan unas gafas graduadasI recommend you visit an optician to get prescription glasses made.
- Necesito unos anteojos graduados nuevos.I need new prescription glasses.
- Mis anteojos graduados están muy rayados.My prescription glasses are very scratched.
- ¿Dónde compraste tus anteojos graduados?Where did you buy your prescription glasses?
Example conversation
At an optician's shop.
- MateoBusco unos anteojos graduados para mi hijo.I am looking for prescription glasses for my son.
- ElenaClaro, ¿tiene usted la receta médica?Of course, do you have the medical prescription?
- MateoSí, aquí tengo los anteojos graduados anteriores.Yes, I have the previous prescription glasses here.
- ElenaPerfecto, vamos a revisar la graduación.Perfect, let's check the prescription.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “prescription glasses” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anteojos, CC BY-SA 4.0.
