cable
“cable” means “cable” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
cable, cordAlso: rope, 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.
Word Connections
cable television, cable 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.
Word Connections
telegramAlso: cablegram
📝 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.
Word Connections
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "cable" in Spanish:
✏️ 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
👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology
The word 'cable' comes from the Old French word *cable*, meaning 'rope' or 'strong cord,' which itself has roots in ancient Latin words for 'rope' or 'halter.'
First recorded: 13th century (in Romance languages)
Cognates (Related words)
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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).