reiniciar
/reiniˈθjaɾ/
To reboot in Spanish is reiniciar.
The verb reiniciar is used to describe executing a computer's boot process and reloading the operating system. In technical contexts, it is common to use it with el sistema (the system) or el equipo (the computer/equipment). While reiniciar is the standard term for a software reboot, it is also the general word used to mean 'to restart' any process or device.
Meaning: To execute a computer's boot process and reload the operating system (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb reiniciar literally means 'to restart' and is a combination of the prefix re- (again) and iniciar (to initiate/start).
Which one should you use?
The noun reinicio refers to a single instance of a reboot, whereas reiniciar is the action of performing the reboot.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, reiniciar is the most common way to express 'reboot' in both formal and informal contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous action of 'rebooting', you use the gerund form reiniciando.
How do you pronounce it?
/reiniˈθjaɾ/
Did you know?
- While reiniciar is the standard term, some Spanish speakers use the Anglicism rebootear, which adapts the English word into a Spanish verb form.
- Because reiniciar is used for any restart, a Spanish speaker might use it to describe restarting a conversation, a relationship or a clock.
- The word reiniciar shares its root with the English word 'initiate'. Both words trace back to the Latin verb 'initiare', meaning 'to begin'.
Examples in context
- Me gustaría que reinicien el sistema antes de continuar.I would like you to reboot the system before proceeding.
- Por favor, asegúrese de volver a iniciar el dispositivo antes de continuar.Please make sure to restart the device before proceeding.
- Para solucionar el problema, es necesario reiniciar de nuevo el sistema.To solve the issue, it is necessary to reboot the system again.
- Oye, ¿puedes reiniciar el equipo? No funciona correctamente.Hey, can you reboot the computer? It's not working properly.
- ¡Che, tenés que resetear el teléfono! Está fallando.Hey, you have to reset the phone! It's acting up.
- Por favor, reinicia el sistema antes de continuar.Please reboot the system before proceeding.
- Reinicia el ordenador para solucionar el problema.Restart the computer to solve the issue.
- Necesito reiniciar mi teléfono para actualizar el sistema operativo.I need to reboot my phone to update the operating system.
- ¿Puedes resetear la impresora? No está imprimiendo correctamente.Can you reset the printer? It's not printing properly.
- Tienes que reiniciar el ordenador.You have to reboot the computer.
- Voy a reiniciar el sistema ahora.I am going to reboot the system now.
- ¿Podemos reiniciar el router, por favor?Can we reboot the router, please?
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are working on a laptop that is frozen.
- MateoLa pantalla se ha quedado congelada.The screen has frozen.
- LucíaIntenta reiniciar el portátil.Try to reboot the laptop.
- MateoVale, voy a reiniciar el equipo.Okay, I am going to reboot the device.
- LucíaEspero que funcione pronto.I hope it works soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “reboot” translations and entries reiniciar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries reiniciar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
