suena
/SWEH-nah/
it rings
When an object like a bell, alarm, or phone makes a noise, we use suena (it rings/it sounds). (El teléfono suena.)
suena(Verb)
it rings
?for a phone, alarm, or bell
it sounds
?when an object makes a noise
📝 In Action
El teléfono suena, ¿puedes contestar?
A1The phone is ringing, can you answer?
Mi despertador suena a las siete cada mañana.
A1My alarm clock rings at seven every morning.
La música suena muy alta en la casa del vecino.
A2The music sounds very loud in the neighbor's house.
💡 Grammar Points
A 'Boot' Verb (o:ue)
The verb 'sonar' is a 'stem-changing' verb. This means the 'o' in its stem changes to 'ue' for most present tense forms (sueno, suenas, suena, suenan), but it stays as 'o' for 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' (sonamos, sonáis). Imagine drawing a boot around the forms that change!
⭐ Usage Tips
For Any Kind of Noise
You can use 'suena' for almost any sound an object makes. 'Suena la campana' (the bell rings), 'suena el trueno' (the thunder sounds), 'suena la notificación' (the notification sounds).
We use me suena (it sounds to me) to say something sounds familiar or to give an initial impression. (Ese nombre me suena.)
suena(Verb)
it sounds familiar
?when you think you've heard something before
it sounds / seems
?giving an impression, like 'that sounds good'
📝 In Action
Ese nombre me suena, pero no recuerdo de dónde.
A2That name sounds familiar to me, but I don't remember from where.
Tu plan suena muy bien, ¡hagámoslo!
A2Your plan sounds great, let's do it!
Me suena a excusa.
B1It sounds like an excuse to me.
💡 Grammar Points
Saying Who It Sounds Familiar To
This meaning almost always uses a little word like 'me', 'te', or 'le' before it to show who is having the feeling. 'Me suena' means 'It sounds familiar to me.' '¿Te suena?' means 'Does it sound familiar to you?'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'sonar' for appearances
Mistake: "La comida suena deliciosa."
Correction: La comida se ve deliciosa / parece deliciosa. Use 'sonar' for how things sound (ideas, names, plans), but use 'verse' or 'parecer' for how things look or appear.
In formal or news contexts, suena means someone is being mentioned or rumored for a position. (Suena para el nuevo puesto.)
suena(Verb)
it is rumored
?gossip, speculation
is being mentioned / is in the mix
?as a candidate or possibility
📝 In Action
El nombre de la directora suena para el nuevo puesto en la sede central.
B2The director's name is being mentioned for the new position at headquarters.
Desde hace meses suena el rumor de que van a cerrar la fábrica.
B2For months, the rumor that they are going to close the factory has been going around.
Ese jugador suena con fuerza para fichar por el Real Madrid.
C1That player is strongly rumored to be signing with Real Madrid.
⭐ Usage Tips
Listen for the Context
This meaning is all about context. If you hear 'suena' in a conversation about politics, sports transfers, or job openings, it likely means 'is being mentioned' or 'is rumored'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: suena
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'suena' to mean 'it sounds familiar'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'suena' and 'se oye'?
They're very similar! 'Suena' often focuses on the object *making* the sound ('El teléfono suena'). 'Se oye' focuses on the sound *being heard* ('Se oye un teléfono'). Often, you can use them interchangeably, but 'suena' is more common for things designed to make noise, like alarms and bells.
Why does 'sonar' change from 'o' to 'ue' in 'suena'?
It's a historical change from Latin that stuck around in Spanish. Many common verbs do this, like 'poder' (puedo) and 'dormir' (duermo). You just have to memorize them as 'stem-changing' or 'boot' verbs. The good news is they follow a predictable pattern!