pon tu alarma
/pon tu alaɾma/from spelling rules
To say "set your alarm" in Spanish, you say pon tu alarma.
The phrase is used to instruct someone to program a clock or device to make a sound at a specific time to wake them up. You can also use configura la alarma de tu teléfono to specifically say "set the alarm on your phone" or ajusta el reloj despertador to mean "adjust the alarm clock". While alarma refers to the alarm itself, the physical device is often called a despertador.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally translated as "put your alarm" because the verb poner (to put/place) is used in Spanish for setting devices or programming settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form pon tu alarma uses the informal imperative (tú) command form of the verb poner.
How do you pronounce it?
/pon tu alaɾma/
Did you know?
- The word alarma is a loanword from the Italian phrase all'arme, which was used as a military call to tell soldiers to take up their weapons.
- While despertador refers to the clock, it comes from the verb despertar, which literally means 'to awaken'. In Spanish, the device is named for the action it performs rather than the object it is.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, you might hear armar la alarma instead of poner la alarma, which uses a verb that mirrors the military act of 'arming' a weapon.
Examples in context
- Recuerde poner la alarma antes de acostarse.Remember to set your alarm before going to bed.
- Le ruego que programe el despertador para las 7 AM.I kindly ask that you set the alarm clock for 7 AM.
- Mañana tenemos que madrugar, así que pon la alarma temprano.Tomorrow we have to wake up early, so set your alarm early.
- No te olvides de configurar bien tu despertador.Don't forget to properly configure your alarm clock.
- Por favor, configura tu despertador para las 6:30 AM.Please set your alarm clock for 6:30 AM.
- No te olvides de poner tu alarma.Don't forget to set your alarm.
- Pon tu alarma para las siete.Set your alarm for seven.
- Si vas a madrugar, pon tu alarma ahora.If you are going to wake up early, set your alarm now.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are getting ready for bed.
- MateoMañana tenemos que salir temprano.We have to leave early tomorrow.
- LucíaTienes razón, ya voy a dormir.You're right, I'm going to sleep now.
- MateoNo olvides que debes pon tu alarma.Don't forget that you need to set your alarm.
- LucíaEstá bien, ya lo hice.Alright, I already did it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alarma, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
