USB
/usb/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the term for USB is USB.
USB refers to the Universal Serial Bus standard. While you can use the acronym to describe the technology, if you are specifically referring to a USB flash drive, it is common to say memoria USB.
Meaning: Universal Serial Bus (name)
Which one should you use?
While USB describes the standard, other terms are used for the physical storage device. Pendrive and Flash are common informal terms for the drive itself. In some regions, the English term Pen Drive is also frequent.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina and Uruguay, the English term Pen Drive is used frequently.
How does it change in a sentence?
USB is a masculine noun, so it is preceded by the masculine articles el or un.
How do you pronounce it?
/usb/
Did you know?
- Because USB is treated as a masculine noun, the gender is determined by the implied noun bus (meaning 'bus' in the sense of a data path), even though the word is an English acronym.
- While the acronym USB is used globally, some Spanish speakers use memoria as a shorthand for the drive, which literally translates to 'memory'.
- The gender of the acronym can change based on the noun it represents. While el USB is common for the standard or the cable, if a speaker is thinking of la memoria, they might occasionally use feminine articles in informal speech.
Examples in context
- Necesito un cable USB nuevo.I need a new USB cable.This sentence shows how to use USB when asking for a cable.Tatoeba #1324745 by hayastan, translation #1324756 by marcelostockle
- Tom tiene un cajón lleno de cables USB.Tom has a drawer full of USB cables.This sentence illustrates the use of USB when describing a collection of cables.Tatoeba #3541739 by marcelostockle, translation #1093756 by CK
- ¿Qué significa USB?What does USB stand for?This sentence shows how to ask for the meaning of the acronym USB.Tatoeba #969593 by Shishir, translation #954537 by CK
- Es necesario conectar la impresora a través del Universal Serial Bus.It is necessary to connect the printer via the Universal Serial Bus.
- Por favor, conecte el dispositivo al puerto USB disponible.Please connect the device to the available USB port.
- ¡No encuentro mi pendrive! Lo tenía conectado en la computadora.I can't find my pendrive! I had it connected to the computer.
- ¡Quédate con la memoria USB hasta que pueda copiar los documentos!Keep the USB memory until I can copy the documents!
- Presta atención, voy a guardar los archivos en el flash para que los puedas revisar más tarde.Pay attention, I am going to save the files on the flash so you can review them later.
- ¡No te olvides de traer el pen drive con los archivos!Don't forget to bring the pen drive with the files!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are in an office.
- Lucía¿Tienes un adaptador USB para mi portátil?Do you have a USB adapter for my laptop?
- AlejandroSí, lo tengo en mi maletín.Yes, I have it in my briefcase.
- LucíaGracias, Alejandro, me salvas la vida.Thanks, Alejandro, you are saving my life.
- AlejandroDe nada, Lucía, no hay problema.You're welcome, Lucía, no problem.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
