How to Say "board" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “board” is “pizarra” — use this when referring to the writing surface in a classroom or meeting room.
pizarra
pee-thah-rrahpiˈθara
Examples
El profesor escribió la tarea en la pizarra.
The teacher wrote the homework on the board.
Por favor, borra la pizarra blanca antes de salir.
Please, erase the whiteboard before leaving.
La pizarra digital no funciona hoy.
The smart board is not working today.
Always 'La'
Even though it ends in 'a', just remember it's a 'female' word, so always use 'la' or 'una' with it.
Describing the board
To specify what kind of board it is, just add the description after: 'pizarra blanca' (whiteboard) or 'pizarra verde' (green chalkboard).
The 'El' Mistake
Mistake: “El pizarra está sucia.”
Correction: La pizarra está sucia. (Remember to match the 'the' with the 'female' ending of the word).
tabla
TAH-blahˈtaβla
Examples
Necesitamos una tabla de madera para reparar la cerca.
We need a wooden board to repair the fence.
Por favor, usa la tabla de cortar para el pan.
Please use the cutting board for the bread.
Mi hermano compró una tabla de surf nueva para el verano.
My brother bought a new surfboard for the summer.
Gender Check
Remember that 'tabla' is always feminine, so you must use 'la tabla' or 'una tabla'.
bordo
BOR-dohˈboɾ.ðo
Examples
Todos los pasajeros están a bordo del avión.
All the passengers are on board the plane.
El capitán miró por encima del bordo del barco.
The captain looked over the side of the boat.
La policía revisó la documentación a bordo del vehículo.
The police checked the documentation inside the vehicle.
The fixed phrase 'a bordo'
When talking about being 'on' a vehicle (ship, plane, train), Spanish uses the fixed phrase 'a bordo' (on board). Even though 'a' usually means 'to,' here it acts like 'on' or 'at'.
Using 'en' instead of 'a'
Mistake: “Estamos en bordo del barco.”
Correction: Estamos a bordo del barco. Always use 'a' with 'bordo' in this context.
tablero
tah-BLEH-rohtaˈβleɾo
Examples
Pon las piezas sobre el tablero de ajedrez.
Put the pieces on the chessboard.
El carpintero cortó un tablero de madera para la mesa.
The carpenter cut a wooden board for the table.
Gender Tip
Since this word ends in '-o', it is almost always masculine. You should use 'el' or 'un' with it.
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.
junta
HOON-tahˈxunta
Examples
La junta de vecinos se celebrará el martes por la noche.
The neighborhood meeting will be held on Tuesday night.
El director convocó una junta urgente para revisar las finanzas.
The director called an urgent meeting to review the finances.
Always Feminine
Remember to use the feminine articles: 'la junta' or 'una junta'. It is always treated as a singular group.
tomen
TOH-menˈtomen
Examples
Recomiendo que tomen el metro en lugar del taxi.
I recommend that they take the subway instead of the taxi.
Si tienen prisa, ¡tomen el camino más corto!
If you (plural formal) are in a hurry, take the shortest path!
Transportation Choice
In Spanish, you 'take' transportation (tomar el bus) rather than 'ride' it, similar to English, making this usage easy to remember.
comisión
Examples
La comisión de urbanismo aprobó el nuevo proyecto.
The urban planning committee approved the new project.
comité
Examples
El comité se reunió para discutir la propuesta de ley.
The committee met to discuss the bill proposal.
consejo
kon-SEH-hokonˈse.xo
Examples
El consejo de la ciudad aprobó la nueva ley.
The city council approved the new law.
La decisión fue tomada por el consejo de administración de la empresa.
The decision was made by the company's board of directors.
El Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU se reunirá mañana.
The UN Security Council will meet tomorrow.
Confusing the Two Meanings
Mistake: “Me dio un consejo de la ciudad.”
Correction: This sounds like 'He gave me a city council'. The context almost always makes the meaning clear. A sentence can even have both: 'El consejo de la ciudad me dio un buen consejo.' (The city council gave me some good advice.)
tarjeta
tar-HEH-tahtaɾˈxeta
Examples
Mi computadora necesita una nueva tarjeta gráfica.
My computer needs a new graphics card.
La tarjeta madre es el componente principal del sistema.
The motherboard (mother card) is the main component of the system.
panel
pah-nelpaˈnel
Examples
Instalamos un panel solar en el techo para ahorrar energía.
We installed a solar panel on the roof to save energy.
El panel de control tiene muchos botones rojos.
The control panel has many red buttons.
Necesitamos otro panel de madera para terminar la pared.
We need another wooden panel to finish the wall.
Making it Plural
Since 'panel' ends in a consonant, you add '-es' to make it plural: 'los paneles'.
Plural Spelling
Mistake: “los panels”
Correction: los paneles
mesa
MEH-sahˈme.sa
Examples
La mesa directiva se reunirá mañana para tomar una decisión.
The board of directors will meet tomorrow to make a decision.
Se organizó una mesa redonda con expertos para debatir el problema.
A round table discussion with experts was organized to debate the problem.
El presidente de la mesa electoral contó los votos.
The chairman of the polling station board counted the votes.
gabinete
gah-bee-neh-tehɡaβiˈnete
Examples
El presidente anunció cambios en su gabinete ministerial.
The president announced changes in his ministerial cabinet.
El gabinete se reunió de urgencia esta mañana.
The cabinet met urgently this morning.
Always Masculine
This word is always masculine ('el gabinete'), even if the people inside the group are all women.
False Friend Alert
Mistake: “Using 'gabinete' for a kitchen cupboard.”
Correction: In most Spanish-speaking countries, use 'armario' or 'alacena' for kitchen storage. 'Gabinete' is for government or specific professional rooms.
Governing Bodies vs. Physical Objects
Related Translations
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