How to Say "braces" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “braces” is “cargador” — use 'cargador' when referring to suspenders, the accessory worn over the shoulders to hold up trousers.
English → Spanish
cargador
kar-gah-dorkaɾɣaˈðoɾ
nounB2UK English for clothing
Use 'cargador' when referring to suspenders, the accessory worn over the shoulders to hold up trousers.
Examples
Mi abuelo siempre usa cargadores con sus pantalones de vestir.
My grandfather always wears suspenders with his dress pants.
frenos
FREH-nohsˈfɾenos
nounB1dental equipment to straighten teeth
Use 'frenos' when talking about dental braces, the orthodontic equipment used to straighten teeth.
Examples
Llevé frenos durante tres años para enderezar mis dientes.
I wore braces for three years to straighten my teeth.
A los niños no les gusta tener frenos.
Kids don't like having braces.
Verb Pairing
To say 'wear braces,' use the verb 'llevar' (to carry/wear) or 'tener' (to have).
Clothing vs. Dental
The most common mistake is using 'cargador' for dental braces or 'frenos' for suspenders. Remember that 'cargadores' are for trousers, and 'frenos' are for teeth.
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.