estéreo
/esˈteɾeo/masculine
The English phrase "stereo" translates to Spanish as estéreo.
estéreo is used to refer to a stereo device. While estéreo is understood, equipo de música is a very common way to refer to a home stereo system or hi-fi setup. Additionally, in informal settings, the word radio is commonly used to refer to a stereo.
Meaning: device (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, it is common to use equipo de sonido to refer to a stereo system.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is masculine, so it is used with the definite article el (e.g., el estéreo). The related adjective estéreo can be used to describe sound, while estereográfico is used to describe a pit of images.
How do you pronounce it?
/esˈteɾeo/
Did you know?
- While 'estéreo' refers to the sound technology, the word actually descends from the Greek 'stereos', meaning 'solid' or 'three-dimensional'.
- If you ask for 'un estéreo' in a shop, you might be directed to the electronics department, but if you ask for 'el equipo', they might lead you to the gym or a sports equipment section.
- The adjective 'estéreo' can describe sound, but it is almost never used to describe people or physical objects in Spanish, unlike the English use of 'stereo' to mean 'stereotypical'.
Examples in context
- ¿Cómo puedo conectar mi iPod al estéreo de un auto.How can I connect my iPod to a car stereo?This sentence shows how to ask about connecting a device to a car estéreo.Tatoeba #3253299 by marcelostockle, translation #3087420 by Hybrid
- Me gustaría comprar un estéreo para mi oficina.I would like to buy a stereo for my office.
- ¿Puedes recomendar una marca de estéreo de alta calidad?Can you recommend a high-quality stereo brand?
- Ayer compré una radio nueva para mi carro.Yesterday I bought a new stereo for my car.
- Necesito comprar un equipo de sonido nuevo para mi fiesta.I need to buy a new stereo system for my party.
- La calidad del sonido en este equipo es impresionante.The sound quality on this stereo is impressive.
- El estéreo de la sala es muy moderno.The living room stereo is very modern.
- Compré un estéreo nuevo para mi habitación.I bought a new stereo for my room.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are in the living room.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿puedes encender el estéreo, por favor?Daniel, can you turn on the stereo, please?
- DanielSí, Lucía. ¿Qué música quieres escuchar?Yes, Lucía. What music do you want to listen to?
- LucíaPon algo alegre en el estéreo.Put something upbeat on the stereo.
- DanielEstá bien, buscaré una lista de reproducción.All right, I will look for a playlist.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stereo” translations and entries estéreo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries estéreo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
