Inklingo

How to Say "jack" in Spanish

English → Spanish

gato

/GAH-toh//ˈɡato/

nounB1general
Use 'gato' when referring to the mechanical tool used for lifting heavy objects, especially cars during a tire change.
A bright red hydraulic car jack resting on a grey surface.

Examples

Se me pinchó una rueda y tuve que usar el gato para cambiarla.

I got a flat tire and had to use the jack to change it.

Asegúrate de que el gato esté bien colocado antes de levantar el coche.

Make sure the jack is well-placed before lifting the car.

Meaning Divergence

This meaning is entirely separate from the animal. You can usually tell the difference based on context: if the word is found with 'coche' (car) or 'rueda' (tire), it likely means 'jack'.

jack

/yak//'ʝak/

nounB2technical/general
Use the English loanword 'jack' when referring to an audio or electrical socket, typically for headphones or cables.
A simple, bright yellow hydraulic car jack placed on the ground, ready to lift a vehicle.

Examples

Conecta los auriculares en el jack de 3.5 milímetros.

Plug the headphones into the 3.5 millimeter jack.

Necesito un jack para cambiar la llanta del coche.

I need a jack to change the car's tire.

El mecánico usó un jack hidráulico para levantar el vehículo.

The mechanic used a hydraulic jack to lift the vehicle.

El amplificador tiene un jack de entrada y uno de salida.

The amplifier has an input jack and an output jack.

A Borrowed Word

'Jack' is a word taken directly from English, so it keeps its masculine form ('el jack') and is used for specific technical items.

Using 'Jack' Instead of 'Gato'

Mistake: “Pásame el jack, por favor.”

Correction: Pásame el gato, por favor. In everyday Spanish, 'gato' is the standard word for a car jack. Using 'jack' sounds very technical or foreign.

jack

nounC1games/general
Use the English word 'jack' when referring to the playing card in games like poker, though 'jota' is also common.

Examples

En el póker, el jack a veces se llama 'jota', pero algunos usan el término en inglés.

In poker, the jack is sometimes called 'jota', but some use the English term.

Confusing 'gato' and 'jack'

The most common mistake is using the English loanword 'jack' for the car lifting tool when 'gato' is the standard and preferred Spanish term. While 'jack' is understood in some contexts, 'gato' is the correct translation for the mechanical device.

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