Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| interruptor | /interubˈtoɾ/ | masculine |
| suich | /swit͡ʃ/ (from spelling rules) | Latin America, masculine |
| suiche | /swit͡ʃe/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| switch | Latin America, masculine |
As a noun, a switch refers to a device used to turn electric current on and off. To express the action of switching something on or off, you should use encender/apagar. Other common uses for the concept of switching include cambiar de lugar (switch places), cambiar de carril (switch lanes) and cambiar de tema (switch topics).
What does it mean word for word?
The term interruptor is derived from the verb interrumpir (to interrupt), and it literally means a device that interrupts a circuit.
Which one should you use?
While interruptor is the standard term, other forms exist in certain contexts. The words suich, suiche and switch are phonetic adaptations or direct borrowings from English.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In several Latin American countries, suiche is a common phonetic adaptation of the English word. In some Latin American regions, the English word switch is used directly in colloquial speech.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/interubˈtoɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes mistakenly use interrupción (interruption) when they actually mean the physical device interruptor.
Did you know?
- If you are looking for a light switch in a house, you might ask for the botonera in certain regions. This refers to a panel or a set of buttons rather than a single lever.
- In many Spanish-speaking households, people do not say 'turn on the switch', but instead use the verb prender. While encender is correct, prender is extremely common in daily life.
- The word interruptor comes from the Latin interrumpō, which describes the physical act of breaking or interrupting the flow of a circuit.
Examples in context
- Tom giró el interruptor.Tom flipped the switch.This sentence shows the action of flipping the interruptor.Tatoeba #6859607 by albrusgher, translation #2645904 by CK
- Busco el interruptor de la luz.I'm looking for the light switch.This sentence describes looking for a light-related interruptor.Tatoeba #8323935 by arh, translation #9004211 by helloroto
- "¿Me prestas tu Switch?" "¡Ya quisieras!""Can I borrow your Switch?" "In your dreams."This sentence uses the word switch in the context of a gaming device.Tatoeba #9192836 by ecorralest101, translation #9192637 by DJ_Saidez
- Ella alterna entre el inglés y el españolShe switches between English and Spanish
- Necesito cambiar mi vueloI need to switch my flight
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are in a dark room trying to find the light.
- Daniel¿Dónde está el interruptor, Sofía?Where is the switch, Sofía?
- SofíaEstá a la derecha de la puerta.It is to the right of the door.
- DanielYa lo encontré.I found it.
- SofíaQué bueno, ahora podemos ver.Great, now we can see.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “switch” translations and entries interruptor, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries interruptor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
