sonido
/so-NEE-doh/
sound
This image illustrates 'sonido' as an audible phenomenon, like the sound from a ringing bell.
sonido(noun)
sound
?audible phenomenon
,noise
?general or specific noise
tone
?a specific pitch or quality
📝 In Action
El sonido de la alarma me despertó.
A1The sound of the alarm woke me up.
¿Escuchaste ese sonido raro en el motor?
A2Did you hear that weird noise in the engine?
Apaga la televisión; necesito silencio, no más sonido.
A1Turn off the TV; I need silence, no more sound.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Check
Remember that 'sonido' is a masculine word, so you must always use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el sonido', 'un sonido nuevo'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Verb vs. Noun Confusion
Mistake: "Using 'sonido' when you mean 'suena' (it sounds)."
Correction: Use the noun 'sonido' for the thing you hear, but use the verb 'sonar' (in its correct form, e.g., 'suena') for the action of making a sound.
⭐ Usage Tips
Making Noise vs. Hearing Noise
To talk about hearing something, use 'escuchar un sonido'. To talk about something creating a sound, use 'hacer un sonido'.
'Sonido' can also refer to the technical or artistic audio quality, visualized here by the perfect music flowing from a speaker.
sonido(noun)
audio quality
?technical or artistic quality of a recording
,tone/timbre
?characteristic quality of a musical instrument or voice
sound design
?the creative use of sounds in film or games
📝 In Action
El ingeniero de sonido trabajó toda la noche en la mezcla final.
B2The sound engineer worked all night on the final mix.
Me encanta el sonido vintage de esta guitarra eléctrica.
C1I love the vintage tone of this electric guitar.
💡 Grammar Points
Compound Noun
When 'sonido' is part of a job title or technical term (like 'ingeniero de sonido'), it usually describes the type of engineer, much like 'sound' does in English.
⭐ Usage Tips
Technical Context
When you are describing the quality, aesthetic, or technical aspects of music or film, 'sonido' refers to the entire audio experience, not just a single noise.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: sonido
Question 1 of 2
Which of these phrases correctly uses 'sonido' as a masculine noun?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'sonido' and 'ruido'?
'Sonido' is the general, neutral term for anything audible, like a sound or music. 'Ruido' specifically means 'noise' or 'loud/unpleasant sound'—it usually has a negative feeling associated with it.
How do I say 'to make a sound'?
The most common way is 'hacer un sonido' (to make a sound) or, even more commonly, using the verb 'sonar' (to sound/to ring): 'El teléfono sonó' (The phone rang).