How to Say "chime" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “chime” is “campana” — use 'campana' when referring to the physical bell itself or the sound it produces, like a church bell.
Use 'campana' when referring to the physical bell itself or the sound it produces, like a church bell.
Learn more →Use 'sonó' (the past tense of 'sonar') when describing the action of something making a ringing sound, such as a phone or alarm.
Learn more →
Use 'toque' specifically for the sound or signal produced by bells, often in a more formal or specific context like a scheduled announcement.
Learn more →kahm-PAH-nahkamˈpana
Examples
La campana de la iglesia suena cada hora.
The church bell rings every hour.
El carillón está hecho de muchas campanas pequeñas.
The carillon is made of many small bells.
Feminine Noun
Since 'campana' ends in -a, it is feminine. You must use 'la' (the) or 'una' (a) before it.
Confusing Size
Mistake: “Using 'campana' for a tiny bell on a desk.”
Correction: Use 'campanilla' for small, hand-held bells or desk bells. 'Campana' usually implies a larger, fixed bell.
sonó
Examples
El teléfono sonó justo cuando salía de casa.
The phone rang just as I was leaving the house.
TOH-kehˈto.ke
Examples
A las doce sonó el toque de campanas que anunciaba la misa.
At twelve, the chime of the bells rang out announcing the mass.
El toque de trompeta indicó el fin del desfile.
The trumpet signal indicated the end of the parade.
Signal Noun
When used for signals, 'toque' refers to the specific pattern or type of sound (a repeated action of 'touching' the bell/instrument), not just the general noise.
Verb vs. Noun for Bell Sounds
Learners often confuse 'campana' (the bell itself or its sound) with 'sonó' (the action of ringing). Remember that 'sonó' is a verb describing the action, while 'campana' is a noun referring to the object or the sound it makes.
Related Translations
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