Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| enchufe | /enˈt͡ʃufe/ | masculine |
| tomacorriente | /tomakoˈrjente/ | masculine |
| toma | /ˈtoma/ | feminine |
The term enchufe is a common way to refer to an electrical socket or outlet.
Which one should you use?
While enchufe is common in daily speech, tomacorriente is a more precise technical term for the electrical outlet. Additionally, in many Spanish-speaking regions, enchufe is used colloquially to refer to both the electrical socket and the plug itself.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, enchufe is the most common way to refer to the electrical socket in a wall. In Mexico and other Latin American countries, the term tomacorriente is used, which is the standard term for an electrical socket in most of Latin America.
How do you pronounce it?
/enˈtʃufe/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse the 'plug' (the part on the cord) with the 'socket' (the hole in the wall). In Spanish, enchufe is frequently used for both, which can lead to confusion when trying to be precise.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if someone says they have an enchufe with a boss or a professor, they are not talking about electricity, but rather a 'connection' or 'influence' that helps them get a job or a favor.
- The term corriente in tomacorriente refers to electrical current, but in daily Spanish, corriente also means 'ordinary' or 'average'.
- In some regions, using toma alone to refer to a socket can be ambiguous, as it might also refer to a 'tap' or a 'point of intake' for water.
Examples in context
- Saca el tenedor del enchufe.Take the fork out of the electric socket.This sentence uses enchufe to show the action of removing a fork from a socket.Tatoeba #5800906 by solmyrbcn, translation #573909 by FeuDRenais2
- Tom metió un tenedor en el enchufe.Tom stuck a fork into the electrical socket.This sentence uses enchufe to describe sticking a fork into a socket.Tatoeba #1552895 by marcelostockle, translation #1552890 by Spamster
- Mi clavija no entra en ese enchufe.My plug won't fit in that socket.This sentence uses enchufe to explain that a plug does not fit into a specific socket.Tatoeba #7038094 by arh, translation #9165329 by DJ_Saidez
- ¿Puedes enchufar el televisor en el enchufe?Can you plug the TV into the socket?
- Por favor, no toques la toma de corrientePlease do not touch the socket
- El conector USB está en la parte trasera de la computadoraThe USB socket is at the back of the computer
- ¡El cargador está conectado a la toma!The charger is plugged into the socket!
- Desconecta la clavija del enchufeUnplug the plug from the socket
- El cargador está conectado a la presaThe charger is plugged into the socket
- Enchufa el cable en el tomacorrientePlug the cable into the socket
- ¡No te olvides de enchufar el cable en el enchufe antes de encender el equipo! No se puede cargar si no hay electricidad.Don't forget to plug the cable into the socket before turning on the equipment! It can't charge without electricity.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are in the living room trying to charge a phone.
- María¿Hay algún enchufe libre por aquí?Is there a free socket around here?
- MateoSí, hay uno detrás del sofá.Yes, there is one behind the sofa.
- MaríaNo veo el enchufe, está muy lejos.I don't see the socket, it is very far.
- MateoDéjame ayudarte a buscarlo, María.Let me help you look for it, María.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “socket” translations and entries enchufe, tomacorriente, toma, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
