Inklingo

How to Say "digital" in Spanish

English → Spanish

digital

/dee-hee-TAHL//di.xiˈtal/

adjectiveA1general
Use this term when referring to things related to computers, electronics, and the internet, or when talking about fingers and toes.
A glowing blue circuit board pattern shaped like a glowing sphere.

Examples

Prefiero leer libros en formato digital.

I prefer reading books in digital format.

Necesitas una firma digital para enviar el documento.

You need a digital signature to send the document.

La era digital ha cambiado nuestras vidas.

The digital age has changed our lives.

El policía tomó sus huellas digitales.

The police officer took his fingerprints.

One Form for All

This word ends in -l, so it stays the same whether the thing you are describing is masculine (boy-word) or feminine (girl-word). Example: 'el libro digital' and 'la cámara digital'.

Double Meaning

Note how 'digital' connects technology and anatomy. Because we use our fingers (digits) to count, the same word ended up being used for computers!

Gender Trap

Mistake: “Using 'digitala' for feminine nouns.”

Correction: Always use 'digital'. Words ending in consonants like -l usually don't add an -a for feminine things.

digitales

/dee-hee-tah-lehs//dixiˈtales/

adjectiveA2general
This is the plural form of 'digital' and is commonly used for devices like cameras or when referring to fingerprints.
A glowing blue circuit board pattern shaped like a human brain.

Examples

Hoy en día, casi todos usamos cámaras digitales.

Nowadays, almost all of us use digital cameras.

Prefiero leer libros digitales en mi tableta.

I prefer reading digital books on my tablet.

Las competencias digitales son muy importantes para el trabajo.

Digital skills are very important for work.

La policía analizó las huellas digitales en la escena.

The police analyzed the fingerprints at the scene.

Making Adjectives Plural

Since 'digital' ends in a consonant (L), you add '-es' to make it plural when describing more than one thing.

Gender Neutrality

This word looks the same for both masculine and feminine nouns. You use 'digitales' for both 'los libros' (masculine) and 'las revistas' (feminine).

Scientific Context

While 'digitales' often means 'tech-related' today, its oldest meaning refers to fingers (from the Latin word 'digitus').

Forgetting the 'e' in the plural

Mistake: “cámaras digitals”

Correction: cámaras digitales

informático

adjectiveB1general
Choose this word when the meaning is specifically related to computer science or computer technology, often implying a problem or system.

Examples

Hubo un error informático en el banco.

There was a computer error at the bank.

electrónico

adjectiveA1general
Use this when referring to electronic mail (email) or other electronic communication methods.

Examples

Necesito tu correo electrónico para enviarte la invitación.

I need your email address to send you the invitation.

Digital vs. Informático

Learners often confuse 'digital' and 'informático'. Remember that 'digital' is a broader term for electronic technology and the internet, while 'informático' specifically refers to computer systems, operations, or errors.

Related Translations

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