reloj
/reˈlox/masculine
In Spanish, the word for watch is reloj. Wiktionary also lists extensible and guasho.
Meaning: portable or wearable timepiece (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| reloj | /reˈlox/ /reˈlo/ |
masculine |
| extensible | /eɡstenˈsible/ | masculine |
| guasho | /ɡwaso/ (from spelling rules) | Guatemala, masculine |
| washo | Guatemala, feminine |
The word reloj is the most common and universal term used to describe a watch. Because reloj can refer to any timepiece, including clocks, you may need to specify the type if you want to be more precise. For example, use reloj de pared to indicate a wall clock.
Which one should you use?
While reloj is a general term for a timepiece, you can use the specific phrase reloj de pulsera when you want to refer specifically to a wristwatch.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Guatemala, you may encounter the colloquial terms guasho (masculine) or washo (feminine) to refer to a watch.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun reloj is masculine. To make it plural, use relojes.
How do you pronounce it?
/reˈlox/
Did you know?
- The word reloj did not enter Spanish directly from Latin but was borrowed from Old Catalan relotge.
- In some contexts, if a Spanish speaker says their reloj is 'parado', they mean the watch has stopped ticking, not that it is physically standing up.
Examples in context
- No es un reloj.It is not a watch.This sentence is useful for practicing the negative form of the noun reloj.Tatoeba #710678 by Shishir, translation #710676 by CM
- Le dio un reloj.She gave him a watch.This sentence shows how to use the noun reloj in a sentence about giving an object.Tatoeba #1993006 by Shishir, translation #316307 by CK
- Me robó el reloj.He stole my watch.This sentence demonstrates the use of reloj when describing something stolen.Tatoeba #1244778 by Shishir, translation #297258 by CH
- ¿Tiene usted un reloj?Do you have a watch?
- reloj rotoBroken watch
- reloj analógicoAnalog watch
- 285 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are looking at a shop window.
- AlejandroEse reloj es muy elegante.That watch is very elegant.
- Sofía¿Te gusta ese reloj, Alejandro?Do you like that watch, Alejandro?
- AlejandroSí, es un reloj precioso.Yes, it is a beautiful watch.
- SofíaEs demasiado caro para mí.It is too expensive for me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “watch” translations and entries reloj, extensible, 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 reloj, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
