láser
LAH-ser
📝 In Action
El cirujano usó un láser para hacer el corte preciso.
B1The surgeon used a laser to make the precise cut.
Necesitas un lector de láser para escanear el código de barras.
A2You need a laser reader to scan the barcode.
Compramos un puntero láser para las presentaciones.
A2We bought a laser pointer for the presentations.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender of Technical Nouns
Even though 'láser' is an imported word, it is always treated as masculine in Spanish, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it (e.g., 'el láser').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Misspelling
Mistake: "Using 'laser' (without the accent mark)."
Correction: In Spanish, the accent is required on the 'á' (láser) because the stress falls on the first syllable, breaking the normal stress rules for words ending in 'r'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Láser' as an Adjective
You will often see 'láser' used to describe a related technology, like 'impresora láser' (laser printer). In these cases, it functions just like an adjective, but it is technically a noun modifier.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: láser
Question 1 of 2
¿Cuál es la función principal de un 'puntero láser'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Por qué 'láser' lleva tilde (acento) en español?
Spanish words that end in 'r' usually have the stress on the last syllable (like 'comer'). Since the stress in 'láser' falls on the first syllable ('LÁ-ser'), we must add an accent mark (tilde) over the 'á' to show the correct pronunciation.
¿Es 'láser' una palabra masculina o femenina?
'Láser' is always masculine. You should use the masculine article 'el' (el láser) or the indefinite article 'un' (un láser).