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How to Say "alarm" in Spanish

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alarma

ah-LAHR-mah/aˈlaɾma/

nounA1general
Use 'alarma' when referring to a device that makes a noise to warn or wake someone, or a general feeling of fear or worry.
A bright red, round alarm bell mounted on a white wall, clearly vibrating and ringing.

Examples

Puse la alarma para levantarme temprano.

I set the alarm (clock) to get up early.

Si la puerta se abre, la alarma de seguridad saltará.

If the door opens, the security alarm will go off.

Escuchamos la alarma de un coche robado en la calle.

We heard the alarm of a stolen car in the street.

La caída de la bolsa causó una gran alarma social.

The stock market crash caused great social alarm (worry).

Gender Check

Even though many nouns ending in -a are feminine, 'alarma' is definitely feminine (la alarma), which is easy to remember.

Using 'Causar'

When talking about an event creating this feeling, use the verb 'causar' (to cause): 'El ruido causó alarma entre los vecinos'.

Using 'Reloj'

Mistake: “Using 'reloj de alarma' instead of just 'alarma' or 'despertador'.”

Correction: While 'reloj de alarma' is correct, people usually just say 'la alarma' or use 'el despertador' for the physical clock device.

alarma

ah-LAHR-mah/aˈlaɾma/

nounB1general
Use 'alarma' to describe a feeling of fear, anxiety, or distress caused by a situation.
A bright red, round alarm bell mounted on a white wall, clearly vibrating and ringing.

Examples

La caída de la bolsa causó una gran alarma social.

The stock market crash caused great social alarm (worry).

Puse la alarma para levantarme temprano.

I set the alarm (clock) to get up early.

Si la puerta se abre, la alarma de seguridad saltará.

If the door opens, the security alarm will go off.

Escuchamos la alarma de un coche robado en la calle.

We heard the alarm of a stolen car in the street.

Gender Check

Even though many nouns ending in -a are feminine, 'alarma' is definitely feminine (la alarma), which is easy to remember.

Using 'Causar'

When talking about an event creating this feeling, use the verb 'causar' (to cause): 'El ruido causó alarma entre los vecinos'.

Using 'Reloj'

Mistake: “Using 'reloj de alarma' instead of just 'alarma' or 'despertador'.”

Correction: While 'reloj de alarma' is correct, people usually just say 'la alarma' or use 'el despertador' for the physical clock device.

alerta

/a-LER-ta//aˈleɾta/

nounA2general
Use 'alerta' to signify an official warning or state of readiness, especially in response to danger or a specific event like a storm.
A stylized illustration of a simple, bright red emergency warning light flashing rapidly on a dark pole, signifying an alarm or signal.

Examples

Han declarado una alerta roja por la tormenta.

They have declared a red alert because of the storm.

Recibimos una alerta en el teléfono sobre un incendio.

We received an alert on the phone about a fire.

La alerta de tsunami se canceló tres horas después.

The tsunami warning was canceled three hours later.

Gender Note

Remember that 'alerta' as a signal or warning is always feminine: 'la alerta'.

sirena

/see-REH-nah//siˈɾe.na/

nounA2general
Use 'sirena' specifically to refer to the loud, often piercing sound made by emergency vehicles or warning systems.
A bright red and silver mechanical siren device, typically used as a loud warning alarm, mounted on a simple pole.

Examples

Oímos la sirena de la ambulancia a lo lejos.

We heard the ambulance siren in the distance.

La policía encendió la sirena para pedir paso en el tráfico.

The police turned on the siren to ask for way through the traffic.

Feminine Noun

Since 'sirena' ends in -a, it is feminine and always uses 'la' or 'una' before it.

Confusing Sirena and Alarma

Mistake: “Using 'alarma' when specifically referring to the physical loud device on a vehicle.”

Correction: 'Alarma' is usually the general warning system (like a car or house alarm), while 'sirena' is the loud, wailing noise maker, especially on emergency vehicles.

Alarma vs. Alerta

Learners often confuse 'alarma' and 'alerta'. Remember that 'alarma' can refer to a device, a feeling of worry, or even a general warning, while 'alerta' is typically used for an official state of warning or readiness, often with a specific designation like 'alerta roja'.

Related Translations

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