Inklingo

How to Say "electricity" in Spanish

English → Spanish

electricidad

/eh-lek-trih-see-dahd//elek.tɾi.siˈðað/

nounA1
Use 'electricidad' when referring to electricity as the physical force or energy itself, often in a formal or technical context, like paying bills or discussing electrical concepts.
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-teh/koˈrjente/

nounB1informal
Use 'corriente' specifically when referring to the electrical power supply that you plug devices into, like the outlet or the mains.
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.

energía

nounA2
Use 'energía' when discussing electricity as a general concept of power or energy, especially when talking about sources or consumption.

Examples

Necesitamos encontrar fuentes de energía más limpias.

We need to find cleaner energy sources.

Electricidad vs. Corriente

Learners often confuse 'electricidad' and 'corriente.' Remember that 'electricidad' refers to the energy itself, while 'corriente' is specifically about the power supply you connect to. You pay the 'electricidad' bill, but you plug things into the 'corriente'.

Related Translations

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