Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| grabar | /ɡɾaˈbaɾ/ |
| registrar | /rexisˈtɾaɾ/ |
When you want to capture audio or video media, such as a song or a movie scene, use grabar. If you are referring to the act of logging, registering or entering information into a system or document, use registrar. Related to these actions, the noun grabación refers to the recording itself (the result of the action). For computing contexts, the noun registro refers to a set of data relating to a single individual or item, while récor refers to information put into a lasting physical medium.
Which one should you use?
Use grabar specifically for capturing audio or video media. Use registrar when the sense is to log, register or enter data and information.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, memoria can be used to refer to a record or account of events, especially in narrative contexts. In Spain, particularly in legal contexts, partida might be used to refer to a record or official document.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡɾaˈbaɾ/
When do people say it?
Depending on the specific type of record you are discussing, other terms are more appropriate: acta is used for the written minutes of a meeting or official proceedings and antecedentes is used to refer to a person's criminal record or past history.
Did you know?
- The verb grabar shares a common ancestor with the English word 'engrave'. While we use 'record' for media, the Spanish verb literally carries the historical sense of carving or etching something into a permanent surface.
- Spanish uses the loanword récord specifically for sports achievements, creating a sharp distinction between an achievement and a media recording.
- In legal settings in Spain, an official record like a birth or marriage certificate is called a partida, which translates literally to 'part' or 'division'.
Examples in context
- Tienen que grabar su discurso.You must record his speech.This sentence shows how to use grabar regarding a speech.Tatoeba #2195163 by marcelostockle, translation #285621 by CK
- ¿Vas a grabar el capítulo de hoy?Are you going to record today's episode?This sentence uses grabar to ask about recording an episode.Tatoeba #1624764 by marcelostockle, translation #1624889 by marcelostockle
- espero que planees grabar algo masI hope you plan to record some more.This sentence uses grabar to express a hope about recording more.Tatoeba #4817968 by gusrudess, translation #4817461 by mraz
- Por favor, mantenga un registro de todos los gastos durante la conferencia.Please keep a record of all the expenses during the conference.
- Las actas de la reunión sirven como un registro de lo que se discutió.The meeting minutes serve as a record of what was discussed.
- Necesito revisar mi historial médico antes de mi cita.I need to check my medical records before my appointment.
- La policía revisó sus antecedentes y no encontró ningún registro criminal.The police checked his background and found no criminal record.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are at a music studio.
- Elena¿Vas a grabar hoy, Mateo?Are you going to record today, Mateo?
- MateoSí, tengo que grabar mi voz.Yes, I have to record my voice.
- Elena¡Qué bien! Yo también quiero grabar.That's great! I want to record too.
- MateoPodemos grabar juntos más tarde.We can record together later.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “record” translations and entries grabar, registrar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries grabar, registrar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
