Inklingo

ventilador

ben-tee-lah-DOR/bentilaˈðoɾ/

ventilador means fan in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

fan

Also: electric fan, ceiling fan
NounmA1
Mexico & Caribbean
A modern three-blade electric desk fan blowing a gentle breeze.

📝 In Action

Hace mucho calor, por favor enciende el ventilador.

A1

It is very hot; please turn on the fan.

Compramos un ventilador de techo para el dormitorio.

A2

We bought a ceiling fan for the bedroom.

El ruido del ventilador no me deja dormir.

B1

The noise from the fan won't let me sleep.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • abanico (hand fan (often used for electric fans in some regions))

Antonyms

  • calefactor (heater)

Common Collocations

  • ventilador de techoceiling fan
  • ventilador de piepedestal/floor fan
  • encender el ventiladorto turn on the fan

Idioms & Expressions

  • encender el ventiladorto spread gossip or stir up trouble (metaphorical)

ventilator

Also: cooling fan
NounmB2formal
A medical ventilator machine next to a hospital bed.

📝 In Action

El paciente fue conectado a un ventilador mecánico.

B2

The patient was connected to a mechanical ventilator.

El ventilador de mi computadora hace un ruido extraño.

B1

My computer's cooling fan is making a strange noise.

Si el ventilador del coche falla, el motor se calienta.

B2

If the car's cooling fan fails, the engine overheats.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • respirador (respirator (medical))
  • extractor (exhaust fan)

Common Collocations

  • ventilador mecánicomechanical ventilator
  • ventilador de la CPUCPU fan

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "ventilador" in Spanish:

ceiling fancooling fanelectric fanfanventilator

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: ventilador

Question 1 of 3

Which of these is the correct way to say 'the fan'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
ventilar(to ventilate / to fan)Verb
ventilación(ventilation)Noun
viento(wind)Noun
ventanal(large window)Noun
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

From the Latin word 'ventilare', which means 'to blow' or 'to fan', derived from 'ventus' (wind).

First recorded: 18th century (in its modern mechanical sense)

Cognates (Related words)

English: ventilatorFrench: ventilateurPortuguese: ventilador

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between 'ventilador' and 'abanico'?

Yes. Generally, a 'ventilador' is an electric machine. An 'abanico' is a handheld fan you wave yourself. However, in some Latin American countries, 'abanico' is used for both.

Can I use 'ventilador' for air conditioning?

No. Air conditioning is called 'aire acondicionado'. A 'ventilador' only moves the air around without cooling it down with chemicals.

Is it a 'ventilador' if it's inside a computer?

Yes! The small fans used to cool down electronics like computers or car engines are also called 'ventiladores'.