Inklingo

How to Say "electricity" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “electricity” is “electricidad” — use 'electricidad' when referring to electricity as a general concept, a form of energy, or the subject of scientific study, such as paying an electricity bill.

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electricidad

eh-lek-trih-see-dahdelek.tɾi.siˈðað

nounA1general
Use 'electricidad' when referring to electricity as a general concept, a form of energy, or the subject of scientific study, such as paying an electricity bill.
A glowing, stylized cartoon lightbulb connected to an energetic electrical current line, showing power transmission.

Examples

Necesito pagar la factura de la electricidad este mes.

I need to pay the electricity bill this month.

Cuando hay tormenta, a veces se va la electricidad.

When there is a storm, sometimes the power goes out.

Descubrieron cómo almacenar la electricidad de forma más eficiente.

They discovered how to store electricity more efficiently.

Gender Alert

Remember that 'electricidad' is always feminine, so you must use 'la' before it: 'la electricidad'. Nouns ending in -dad are almost always feminine.

Using 'luz' instead of 'electricidad'

Mistake: “La luz se fue.”

Correction: Se fue la electricidad. (While 'luz' is often used informally to mean power, 'electricidad' is the precise, broader term for the power supply when discussing technical aspects.)

corriente

koh-rree-EN-tehkoˈrjente

nounB1general
Use 'corriente' when referring to the electrical power supply that comes from an outlet or is currently running through a system.
A standard wall electrical outlet glowing brightly with yellow stylized lightning bolts radiating outward, representing power.

Examples

¿Puedes conectar esto a la corriente?

Can you plug this into the power/electricity?

Se fue la corriente por la tormenta.

The power went out because of the storm.

The Outlet

The word for the wall socket where you plug things in is often 'tomacorriente' (literally 'take current'), which helps reinforce this meaning.

Confusing Power

Mistake: “Using 'poder' to mean 'electrical power'.”

Correction: Use 'corriente' or 'electricidad'. 'Poder' means ability or authority.

luz

looseluθ

nounA2colloquial
Use 'luz' colloquially to mean the electricity supply in a building, especially when it goes out or is turned on/off.
A glowing lightbulb hanging from a ceiling in a cozy room.

Examples

Se fue la luz durante la tormenta.

The power went out during the storm.

Este mes la luz ha subido mucho.

The electricity bill has gone up a lot this month.

Tengo que pagar la luz mañana.

I have to pay the electricity bill tomorrow.

Using 'irse' for power outages

To say 'the power went out,' Spanish uses the verb 'irse' (to leave). You say 'se fue la luz' (the light left).

Power Outages

Mistake: “La luz está muerta.”

Correction: No hay luz or Se fue la luz. Spanish speakers don't say the power is 'dead'.

energía

nounA2general
Use 'energía' when discussing electricity as a source of power, particularly in the context of energy production or consumption.

Examples

Necesitamos encontrar fuentes de energía más limpias.

We need to find cleaner energy sources.

Confusing 'corriente' and 'luz'

Learners often confuse 'corriente' and 'luz' because both refer to the electrical supply. Remember that 'corriente' is more about the flow of electricity and power supply from an outlet, while 'luz' is a more colloquial term specifically for the power in a house, often used when it's out.

Related Translations

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