Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| redes sociales | /redes soθjales/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /redes sosjales/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine, plural |
| medios sociales | /medjos soθjales/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /medjos sosjales/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine, plural |
| redes | /ˈredes/ | feminine, plural |
The term refers to applications or websites that allow users to communicate. To say you are 'on' social media, use the preposition en. For example, you can use the phrase estar en to mean 'to be on' and the verb usar is commonly used for 'to use'. You might also describe social media as adictivo (addictive). If you want to emphasize the digital nature of these platforms, you can use the phrase redes sociales en línea to mean 'online social media'.
Which one should you use?
While medios sociales is a literal translation of 'social media', the much more common way to refer to these platforms in everyday Spanish is redes sociales, which literally means 'social networks'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase redes sociales is a feminine plural noun phrase. Consequently, any articles or adjectives used with it must also be feminine and plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/redes soθjales/
Did you know?
- The word red in redes sociales originally refers to a physical net used for fishing or hunting. It describes social media as a web of interconnected nodes rather than a medium of communication.
- While English speakers 'tag' someone, Spanish speakers often use the verb etiquetar, which literally means 'to label' a product in a store.
- Spanish uses the word muro meaning 'wall' to describe a user's profile feed, treating the digital space as a physical surface where notes are pinned.
Examples in context
- ¿Tienes alguna cuenta en redes sociales?Do you have any social media accounts?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has any social media accounts using redes sociales.Tatoeba #10093269 by manufrutos, translation #10069769 by ddnktr
- Las redes sociales te hacen perder el tiempo.Social media waste your time.This sentence shows how to say social media wastes your time using redes sociales.Tatoeba #13518541 by Seael, translation #10854328 by Amastan
- Pasamos tiempo en las redes sociales porque nuestro cerebro necesita estímulos.We spend time on social media because our brains need stimulation.This sentence explains spending time on social media using redes sociales.Tatoeba #10063088 by manufrutos, translation #10062233 by Amastan
- puedes conectarte conmigo en las redes socialesYou can connect with me on social media
- los medios sociales pueden influir en nuestras vidasSocial media can influence our lives
- ¿tienes redes?Do you have social media?
- estoy feliz de estar conectado con todos ustedes en redes sociales en líneaI'm happy to be connected with all of you on online social media
- estaré encantado de verte en redes socialesI will be delighted to see you on social media
- uso las redes sociales todos los díasI use social media every day
- estoy en FacebookI'm on Facebook
- ¿cuál es tu red social favorita?What is your favorite social media platform?
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are discussing their digital habits at a cafe.
- Lucía¿Cuáles son tus redes sociales favoritas?Which are your favorite social media platforms?
- AlejandroUso mucho Instagram y TikTok.I use Instagram and TikTok a lot.
- LucíaYo casi no uso las redes sociales.I hardly use social media.
- AlejandroTe entiendo, es mejor desconectarse.I understand you, it is better to disconnect.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “social media” translations and entries redes sociales, medios sociales, redes, 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
