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radar

/rah-DAR/

radar

A stylized illustration of a large, gray radar dish rotating on top of a simple tower, emitting curved green electronic detection signals into the surrounding blue atmosphere.

The literal translation of radar is the electronic detection device.

radar(noun)

mB1

radar

?

electronic detection device

Also:

speed camera

?

traffic enforcement (regional usage)

📝 In Action

El barco encendió el radar para navegar en la niebla densa.

B1

The ship turned on the radar to navigate in the dense fog.

El control de tráfico aéreo monitorea todos los aviones en su radar.

B2

Air traffic control monitors all planes on its radar.

Vi un coche de policía escondido con un radar de velocidad.

A2

I saw a police car hidden with a speed radar (gun).

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • detector (detector)

Common Collocations

  • encender el radar – to turn on the radar
  • estar fuera del radar – to be off the radar

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Rule

Even though 'radar' ends in 'r', it is a masculine noun and always uses 'el' or 'un': 'el radar', 'los radares'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Pronunciation Tip

In Spanish, the stress falls on the last syllable: ra-DAR. It sounds slightly different than the English pronunciation.

A small, wide-eyed child standing in a colorful forest, holding a finger to their chin with a thoughtful expression, suggesting they are using instinct to sense something unseen nearby.

Figuratively, radar can refer to one's instinct or a natural ability to detect things.

radar(noun)

mC1

instinct

?

figurative sense of detection

Also:

sixth sense

?

keen awareness

📝 In Action

Mi hermana tiene un radar para encontrar ropa de segunda mano barata.

C1

My sister has an instinct for finding cheap second-hand clothes.

Parece que el jefe tiene un radar para saber quién no está trabajando.

C1

It seems the boss has a sixth sense for knowing who isn't working.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • olfato (sense/nose (for something))
  • intuición (intuition)

Common Collocations

  • tener un radar para algo – to have a radar/instinct for something

💡 Grammar Points

Figurative Usage

When used figuratively, 'radar' always means having a strong, almost automatic ability to notice something specific, like 'a radar for danger'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: radar

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'radar' in its figurative sense?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

radiodetección(radiodetection) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'radar' have a plural form?

Yes, the plural form is 'radares'. For example: 'Hay muchos radares de velocidad en esta carretera.' (There are many speed radars on this road.)

Is 'radar' pronounced the same in Spanish as in English?

Not exactly. In Spanish, the vowel 'a' is usually pronounced sharply, and the stress falls on the last syllable (ra-DAR), unlike the common English stress on the first syllable.