Inklingo

How to Say "fix" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “fix” is “arreglar” — use this verb when you need to repair or mend something that is broken or not working correctly.

English → Spanish

arreglar

ah-rreh-GLAHRarreˈɣlaɾ

VerbA1General
Use this verb when you need to repair or mend something that is broken or not working correctly.
A small child carefully using tape to repair a broken wooden toy train on a colorful rug.

Examples

Mi ordenador está roto, necesito arreglarlo.

My computer is broken, I need to fix it.

Necesito arreglar la puerta del garaje. Está caída.

I need to fix the garage door. It has fallen down.

Mi hermano arregló mi bicicleta vieja para que pudiera usarla.

My brother repaired my old bicycle so I could use it.

arreglo

ah-rreh-gloaˈrreɣlo

NounA2General
Use this noun to refer to the act or result of repairing something that was broken.
A wooden chair with a visible patch or glue fixing a broken leg, illustrating the concept of repair.

Examples

El arreglo del coche tomó más tiempo del esperado.

The repair of the car took longer than expected.

Necesito llevar mi coche al taller para el arreglo de los frenos.

I need to take my car to the shop for the repair of the brakes.

¿Puedes hacer un arreglo rápido a esta falda?

Can you make a quick fix (or mend) to this skirt?

Después del arreglo, la casa se veía mucho mejor.

After tidying up, the house looked much better.

Masculine Noun

Even though it ends in '-o', remember that 'arreglo' is always masculine, using 'el' or 'un'.

Using 'arreglar' instead of 'arreglo'

Mistake: “Hice la arreglar de la bici.”

Correction: Hice el arreglo de la bici. ('Arreglar' is the verb 'to fix'; 'arreglo' is the noun 'the fix/repair'.)

reparación

NounA2Informal
Use this noun specifically for the physical act of repairing an item, often in a more informal or direct sense.

Examples

La reparación de la lavadora costó mucho dinero.

The repair of the washing machine cost a lot of money.

aprieto

ah-PREE-eh-tohaˈpɾje.to

NounB1General
Use this noun when 'fix' refers to a difficult, embarrassing, or tight situation you find yourself in.
A small kitten stuck on a high tree branch looking down with a worried expression.

Examples

Me quedé sin gasolina y me encuentro en un aprieto.

I ran out of gas and I find myself in a fix.

Me encuentro en un aprieto porque olvidé mi cartera.

I'm in a predicament because I forgot my wallet.

Sus preguntas constantes pusieron al político en un aprieto.

Her constant questions put the politician in a tight spot.

No te preocupes, yo te sacaré de este aprieto.

Don't worry, I will get you out of this jam.

Always Masculine

Even though it describes situations that could be feminine (like 'una situación'), the word 'aprieto' is always a masculine noun.

The 'In' Connection

Just like in English we are 'in' a jam, in Spanish we are almost always 'en' un aprieto.

Missing the Little 'Un'

Mistake: “Estoy en aprieto.”

Correction: Say 'Estoy en un aprieto'. In Spanish, we usually include the word 'un' (a) before 'aprieto'.

remedio

reh-MEH-dyohreˈmeðjo

NounB1General
Use this noun when 'fix' implies finding a solution or remedy for a problem or crisis.
A bright blue ceramic bowl that was previously shattered, now perfectly mended and seamless, demonstrating a successful repair.

Examples

No hay un remedio fácil para la contaminación.

There is no easy fix for pollution.

La junta directiva no encuentra un remedio para la crisis económica.

The board of directors cannot find a solution for the economic crisis.

Pusimos remedio a la situación cancelando el evento.

We put a stop to the situation (or fixed the situation) by canceling the event.

No hay remedio para la estupidez, solo para la ignorancia.

There is no solution for stupidity, only for ignorance.

Using 'Poner'

The phrase 'poner remedio' is very common and means 'to fix' or 'to take action to resolve' a bad situation.

corrección

NounB1General
Use this noun when 'fix' refers to the act of correcting an error or mistake in text or information.

Examples

El profesor hizo una corrección en mi ensayo.

The teacher made a correction to my essay.

Repair vs. Situation

The most common mistake is using a word for 'repair' (like arreglar) when you mean a difficult situation (aprieto) or a solution to a problem (remedio). Always consider if you are fixing an object or a circumstance.

Related Translations

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