contraseña
/con-tra-SE-ña/
password
In the digital world, a contraseña (password) is the key that unlocks access to protected information.
📝 In Action
Olvidé mi contraseña para acceder al correo electrónico.
A1I forgot my password to access the email.
Es importante usar una contraseña fuerte y única.
A2It is important to use a strong and unique password.
Por favor, introduce tu contraseña en la casilla de abajo.
A1Please, enter your passcode in the box below.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender is Female
Even though it ends in '-a' and sounds like two words joined together, remember to use the feminine article 'la': 'la contraseña'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong article
Mistake: "El contraseña"
Correction: La contraseña. Since 'seña' (sign) is feminine, the combined word is too.
⭐ Usage Tips
Shortening
While less common than in English, sometimes you might hear people refer to it simply as 'la clave' (the key) in conversation.
Historically, a contraseña could also function as a watchword, a secret phrase used to verify identity in military or guarded settings.
📝 In Action
Los soldados debían usar la contraseña correcta para pasar la guardia.
B2The soldiers had to use the correct watchword to pass the guard.
La libertad se convirtió en la contraseña de su movimiento político.
C1Freedom became the watchword (or slogan) of their political movement.
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Use
In a figurative sense, 'contraseña' can mean the main idea or slogan that defines a group or movement.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: contraseña
Question 1 of 2
¿Cuál es la traducción más común de 'contraseña' en el contexto digital?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'contraseña' masculine or feminine?
It is always feminine: 'la contraseña.' Remember this because the root word 'seña' (sign) is feminine.
Can I use 'clave' instead of 'contraseña'?
Yes, 'clave' also means 'key' or 'code' and is often used interchangeably with 'contraseña' in many Spanish-speaking regions, especially when talking about a PIN or numeric code.