Inklingo
← Dictionary

alarma

/ah-LAHR-mah/

alarm

A bright red, round alarm bell mounted on a white wall, clearly vibrating and ringing.

The word alarma can refer to a warning device, like a fire alarm, that signals danger.

alarma(noun)

fA1

alarm

?

warning device or signal

,

alarm clock

?

device used to wake up

Also:

siren

?

loud public warning

📝 In Action

Puse la alarma para levantarme temprano.

A1

I set the alarm (clock) to get up early.

Si la puerta se abre, la alarma de seguridad saltará.

A2

If the door opens, the security alarm will go off.

Escuchamos la alarma de un coche robado en la calle.

A1

We heard the alarm of a stolen car in the street.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • aviso (notice)
  • sirena (siren)

Common Collocations

  • poner la alarma – to set the alarm
  • sonar la alarma – for the alarm to ring/sound
  • desactivar la alarma – to deactivate the alarm

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Check

Even though many nouns ending in -a are feminine, 'alarma' is definitely feminine (la alarma), which is easy to remember.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Reloj'

Mistake: "Using 'reloj de alarma' instead of just 'alarma' or 'despertador'."

Correction: While 'reloj de alarma' is correct, people usually just say 'la alarma' or use 'el despertador' for the physical clock device.

⭐ Usage Tips

Setting the Alarm

To say you set the alarm, always use the verb 'poner': 'Puse la alarma a las 6:00'.

A cartoon drawing of a young child looking very scared, with wide eyes and their hands held up near their chest.

Alarma also means the feeling of sudden fear or anxiety.

alarma(noun)

fB1

alarm

?

feeling of fear or anxiety

,

panic

?

state of sudden fear

Also:

concern

?

general worry

📝 In Action

La caída de la bolsa causó una gran alarma social.

B2

The stock market crash caused great social alarm (worry).

El doctor dijo que no había motivo para la alarma.

B1

The doctor said there was no cause for alarm.

Trató de no mostrar alarma ante la situación.

B1

He tried not to show panic (alarm) given the situation.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • miedo (fear)
  • pánico (panic)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • causar alarma – to cause alarm
  • sembrar la alarma – to sow panic
  • dar la alarma – to raise the alarm

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'Causar'

When talking about an event creating this feeling, use the verb 'causar' (to cause): 'El ruido causó alarma entre los vecinos'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal Use

This meaning of 'alarma' often appears in slightly more formal contexts, like news reports, rather than casual conversation.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: alarma

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'alarma' to mean 'a feeling of worry or fear'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

alarmar(to alarm / to frighten) - verb
alarmante(alarming) - adjective
despertador(alarm clock (device)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

If I want to talk specifically about the clock I use to wake up, what Spanish word should I use?

You can simply say 'la alarma' or use the more specific term, 'el despertador'. Both are perfectly understood, but 'el despertador' exclusively means the physical clock device.

Is 'alarma' related to the Spanish verb 'armar'?

Yes, indirectly! The root of 'alarma' comes from the military shout 'a las armas' (to the arms/weapons). So, it shares a historical connection with the concept of 'arms' or 'arming'.