What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of auriculares (headphones/earphones) and inalámbricos (wireless/without wires).
Which one should you use?
While auriculares inalámbricos is the standard term, you can specify that headphones are wired by using auriculares con cable (with cable) instead of inalámbricos.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Regional variations exist across the Spanish-speaking world. In Spain, cascos is frequently used to refer to headphones, especially larger over-ear models, leading to the term cascos inalámbricos or occasionally cascos Bluetooth. In Mexico and many other parts of Latin America, audífonos is more common than auriculares, so you might hear audífonos inalámbricos or specifically audífonos Bluetooth in Mexico. In Argentina, you are likely to hear auriculares inalámbricos or auriculares sin cables.
How do you pronounce it?
/auɾikulaɾes inalambɾikos/
Did you know?
- In Spain, the term cascos for headphones literally translates to 'helmets'. This happened because the first over-ear models looked like protective headgear for soldiers or cyclists.
- If you are in a pharmacy in parts of Latin America asking for audífonos might result in a pharmacist handing you medical hearing aids rather than consumer electronics.
- The word auriculares shares the same Latin root as the English word 'auricle', which refers to the external part of the ear.
Examples in context
- Me gusta usar auriculares inalámbricos para poder limpiar mientras escucho un pódcast. De lo contrario, los cables estorban.I like to use wireless headphones so that I can clean while listening to a podcast. Otherwise, the wires get in my way.This sentence shows how to express the preference for using auriculares inalámbricos to avoid the inconvenience of cables while performing tasks like cleaning.Tatoeba #13586987 by frpzzd, translation #13586974 by althead
- ¿Dónde puedo comprar auriculares inalámbricos?Where can I buy wireless headphones?
- ¡Me encantan los cascos inalámbricos!I love wireless headphones!
- Compré unos auriculares inalámbricos nuevos para el gimnasio.I bought some new wireless headphones for the gym.
- ¿Dónde dejaste mis auriculares inalámbricos?Where did you leave my wireless headphones?
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are getting ready to go for a run in the park.
- ElenaDaniel, ¿tienes mis auriculares inalámbricos?Daniel, do you have my wireless headphones?
- DanielSí, los tengo en mi mochila.Yes, I have them in my backpack.
- ElenaGracias, es que no quiero usar cables para correr.Thanks, it's just that I don't want to use cables for running.
- DanielTienes razón, los auriculares inalámbricos son mucho más cómodos.You're right, wireless headphones are much more comfortable.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
