tablero
/tah-BLEH-roh/
board
A 'tablero' can refer to a game board used for playing chess or other tabletop games.
tablero(noun)
board
?games or construction
game board
?chess or checkers
,plank
?a finished piece of wood
📝 In Action
Pon las piezas sobre el tablero de ajedrez.
A2Put the pieces on the chessboard.
El carpintero cortó un tablero de madera para la mesa.
B1The carpenter cut a wooden board for the table.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Tip
Since this word ends in '-o', it is almost always masculine. You should use 'el' or 'un' with it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Tablero vs. Tabla
Mistake: "Using 'tabla' for a game board."
Correction: Use 'tablero' for a board with a specific design or function (like a game or a panel), and 'tabla' for a raw piece of wood or a list of data.
⭐ Usage Tips
Think of Purpose
If the flat surface has a specific job—like holding game pieces or buttons—'tablero' is usually the right word.
In a vehicle, the 'tablero' is the dashboard that holds the instruments and controls.
tablero(noun)
dashboard
?vehicles
,control panel
?machinery or electricity
instrument panel
?technical equipment
📝 In Action
Una luz roja se encendió en el tablero del coche.
B1A red light turned on in the car's dashboard.
El electricista está revisando el tablero de control.
B2The electrician is checking the control panel.
⭐ Usage Tips
Car Talk
In many Latin American countries, 'tablero' is the standard word for a car's dashboard. In Spain, they often prefer 'salpicadero'.
A 'tablero' can also be a notice board used to pin important information or notes.
📝 In Action
Hay un aviso importante en el tablero de anuncios.
B1There is an important notice on the bulletin board.
In sports, 'tablero' refers to the backboard behind a basketball hoop.
📝 In Action
El jugador rompió el tablero con un mate espectacular.
B2The player broke the backboard with a spectacular dunk.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: tablero
Question 1 of 2
If you are playing chess, where do you place your pieces?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'tablero' for a car's dashboard in Spain?
Yes, people will understand you, but 'salpicadero' is much more common in Spain. In Latin America, 'tablero' is the standard word.
Is a 'cutting board' for cooking called a 'tablero'?
No, that is usually called a 'tabla de cortar'. 'Tablero' is usually for larger or more complex surfaces.