Inklingo

How to Say "button" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “button” is “botón” — use 'botón' for a physical fastener on clothing or a switch on a device that you press..

English → Spanish

botón

nounA1general
Use 'botón' for a physical fastener on clothing or a switch on a device that you press.

Examples

El botón de la camisa se desprendió.

The button on the shirt came off.

botón

nounA1general
Use 'botón' for a switch or control on an electronic device, like a power button.

Examples

Presiona este botón para apagar la luz.

Press this button to turn off the light.

tecla

/TEH-klah//ˈtekla/

nounA1general
Use 'tecla' specifically for a key on a keyboard, piano, or similar instrument/device.
A single, white piano key pressed down by a finger.

Examples

La tecla 'A' de mi teclado está rota.

The 'A' key on my keyboard is broken.

Presiona la tecla Enter para continuar.

Press the Enter key to continue.

El piano tiene ochenta y ocho teclas.

The piano has eighty-eight keys.

Se me quedó pegada una tecla del teclado.

One of my keyboard keys got stuck.

Tecla vs. Llave

Spanish uses different words for 'key.' Use 'tecla' for things you press (computers, pianos). Use 'llave' for things you turn (doors, locks).

Feminine Noun

This word is always feminine. Even if you are talking about a computer part, you always say 'la tecla' and 'las teclas'.

Wrong Key Type

Mistake: “Perdí la tecla de mi casa.”

Correction: Perdí la llave de mi casa. (Keys for doors are 'llaves', not 'teclas').

Botón vs. Tecla

The most common mistake is using 'botón' when referring to keys on a keyboard. Remember that 'tecla' is exclusively for keyboard keys and similar interfaces, while 'botón' covers clothing fasteners and general device switches.

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