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teclado

te-KLAH-doh/teˈklaðo/

“teclado” means “keyboard” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

keyboard

Also: keypad
NounmA1
A modern computer keyboard sitting on a clean desk surface.

📝 In Action

Mi teclado no tiene la letra Ñ.

A1

My keyboard doesn't have the letter Ñ.

Necesitas un teclado inalámbrico para trabajar desde el sofá.

A2

You need a wireless keyboard to work from the sofa.

Limpié el teclado porque las teclas estaban pegajosas.

B1

I cleaned the keyboard because the keys were sticky.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • teclado inalámbrico – wireless keyboard
  • teclado mecánico – mechanical keyboard
  • escribir al teclado – to type at the keyboard

keyboard

Also: synthesizer
NounmA2
A musical electronic keyboard with black and white piano keys.

📝 In Action

Ella toca el teclado en una banda.

A2

She plays the keyboard in a band.

El piano tiene un teclado de ochenta y ocho teclas.

B1

The piano has a keyboard of eighty-eight keys.

Prefiero el sonido del teclado eléctrico.

B1

I prefer the sound of the electric keyboard.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • sintetizador (synthesizer)

Common Collocations

  • tocar el teclado – to play the keyboard
  • teclado electrónico – electronic keyboard

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "teclado" in Spanish:

keyboard→keypad→synthesizer→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: teclado

Question 1 of 3

If you want to say you are typing on a computer, which word represents the hardware you are using?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
tecla(key (of a device)) — Noun
teclear(to type) — Verb
tecladista(keyboardist) — Noun
tecleo(typing sound/action) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Derived from the Spanish word 'tecla' (key), which comes from the Latin 'thecla'. The suffix '-ado' is added to show it is a collection or set of those keys.

First recorded: 18th century (in musical context)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: tecladoItalian: tastiera (conceptually related)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'teclado' the same as 'keyboard' in English for all meanings?

Yes! Whether it's for a computer, a piano, or a security alarm keypad, 'teclado' covers them all.

How do I say 'typing'?

The most common way is to use the verb 'teclear' or the phrase 'escribir a máquina/computadora'.

Do I use 'teclado' for phone buttons?

Yes, the number pad on a phone is called a 'teclado numérico'.