cable
/kah-bleh/
cable
The most common meaning of cable is a physical wire or electrical cord.
cable(noun)
cable
?electrical or structural wire
,cord
?for charging or connecting devices
rope
?thick, heavy duty rope, especially steel cable
,wire
?thick conducting wire
📝 In Action
El perro mordió el cable del cargador y ahora no funciona.
A1The dog bit the charger cable and now it doesn't work.
Tuvieron que usar un cable de acero para levantar el coche.
B1They had to use a steel cable to lift the car.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
Remember that 'cable' is always a masculine noun, so use 'el cable' or 'un cable,' even though it refers to something inanimate.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'cable' and 'cuerda'
Mistake: "Usar 'cuerda' para un cable eléctrico."
Correction: 'Cuerda' is usually for rope or string. Use 'cable' for electrical or internet connections.
⭐ Usage Tips
Connecting Devices
When asking for a specific connector, Spanish speakers often just say the type of connection followed by 'cable,' like 'cable HDMI.'
In some contexts, cable refers specifically to cable television service.
📝 In Action
¿Tienes cable en tu casa o solo ves programas por internet?
A2Do you have cable (TV) at your house, or do you only watch shows online?
El mes pasado cortaron el cable porque no pagamos la factura.
B1Last month they cut off the cable because we didn't pay the bill.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the Article
When referring to the service, you almost always use the masculine article: 'el cable' (the cable) or 'nuestro cable' (our cable).
Historically, cable could be used as a synonym for a telegram or wire message.
📝 In Action
El embajador envió un cable urgente a la capital reportando la situación.
C1The ambassador sent an urgent cable (telegram) to the capital reporting the situation.
💡 Grammar Points
Historical Context
This meaning comes from the time when messages were sent across continents via underwater telegraph cables.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cable
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'cable' to refer to a subscription service, not a physical object?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cable' ever feminine?
No, 'cable' is consistently a masculine noun in Spanish, meaning you must always use the masculine article 'el' (el cable).
How do I distinguish between 'cable' and 'alambre'?
Think of size and use. 'Cable' is generally thicker, stronger, or used for major power/data transmission (like an HDMI cable or a steel tow cable). 'Alambre' is thinner, often used for fencing or binding (like thin wire).