barra
/ˈbara/
The English phrase slash symbol is translated into Spanish as barra.
The term refers to the diagonal line character used in writing and computer programming.
Which one should you use?
While barra is the standard term, you may use barra inclinada to be more descriptive. To specifically distinguish the standard slash (/) from a backslash (\), you should use the term barra invertida. Informally, some speakers simply call the symbol diagonal.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbara/
Did you know?
- While barra is used for the symbol, it is also the common word for a 'loaf' of bread or a 'counter' in a cafe.
- In many Spanish-speaking technical environments, people use the English word 'slash' instead of barra, especially when discussing programming or file paths.
- The word barra is a direct cognate of the English word 'bar', meaning they share the same linguistic ancestry and concept of a straight, solid object.
Examples in context
- Por favor, incluye la barra en el informe.Please include the slash symbol in the report.
- Para la fecha, debes utilizar el formato día barra mes barra año.For the date, you must use the format day slash month slash year.
- No olvides la barra diagonal en la URL.Don't forget the slash in the URL.
- Esa barra separa los dos números.That slash separates the two numbers.
Example conversation
Mateo is helping María type a website URL.
- MateoMaría, pon una barra aquí.María, put a slash here.
- MaríaNo encuentro la barra en el teclado.I can't find the slash on the keyboard.
- MateoEstá al lado de la tecla Shift.It is next to the Shift key.
- MaríaYa la vi, gracias Mateo.I see it now, thanks Mateo.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry barra, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries barra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
