grabar
/ɡɾaˈbaɾ/
The English phrase 'to record' is translated into Spanish as grabar.
Grabar is a common and general verb used to express the act of recording. It is most often used when referring to capturing audio or video content.
Which one should you use?
While grabar is used for capturing audio or video, you should use registrar when the meaning is to record data or information in a log, registry or an official/bureaucratic sense.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the phrase hacer una grabación is used to mean recording.
How does it change in a sentence?
The gerund (present participle) form of this verb is grabando, meaning 'recording'. If you need to say that 'he', 'she' or 'it' recorded something in the past, use the third-person singular preterite form grabó.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡɾaˈbaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb grabar shares a common ancestor with the English word 'engrave'. In both languages, the core idea is to leave a permanent mark, whether it is a physical scratch in stone or a digital imprint on a medium.
- In a psychological or emotional context, grabar is used to describe the act of 'fixing' or imprinting a memory or a specific idea into someone's mind.
- In some Spanish-speaking contexts, if you say you want to grabar a name, you are not making a digital recording, but rather carving it into a surface like wood or metal.
Examples in context
- ¿Vas a grabar el capítulo de hoy?Are you going to record today's episode?This example shows how to ask if someone is going to record.Tatoeba #1624764 by marcelostockle, translation #1624889 by marcelostockle
- espero que planees grabar algo masI hope you plan to record some more.This example uses the word grabar to express a hope regarding future recording plans.Tatoeba #4817968 by gusrudess, translation #4817461 by mraz
- ¿Me autorizaría a grabar esta conversación?Would you authorize me to record this conversation?This example uses the word grabar to ask for authorization to record a conversation.Tatoeba #1801751 by marcelostockle, translation #1801790 by marcelostockle
- El cantante va a grabar su nuevo álbum la próxima semana.The singer is going to record his new album next week.
- Tenemos que registrar todas las transacciones en el sistema.We need to record all the transactions in the system.
- Vamos a documentar el proceso de producción del cortometraje.We're going to record the production process of the short film.
- Me olvidé de grabar en audio la reunión.I forgot to record the meeting on audio.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are in a music studio.
- DanielElena, ¿quieres grabar hoy?Elena, do you want to record today?
- ElenaSí, Daniel, estoy lista para grabar.Yes, Daniel, I am ready to record.
- DanielPerfecto, vamos a grabar la guitarra primero.Perfect, let's record the guitar first.
- ElenaMe parece muy bien.That sounds very good to me.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry grabar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries grabar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
