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How to Say "jack" in Spanish

English → Spanish

gato

GAH-tohˈɡato

nounB1general
Use 'gato' for a mechanical tool, most commonly a car jack, used to lift heavy objects, especially when changing a tire.
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

nounB2general/technical
Use the English loanword 'jack' when referring to a car lifting tool or an audio/electrical socket, like a headphone port.
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.

críquet

nounB2general
Use 'críquet' specifically for a car jack, a tool designed to lift a vehicle, often found in the trunk.

Examples

Saca el críquet del maletero para cambiar la llanta.

Take the jack out of the trunk to change the tire.

elevador

eh-leh-bah-DOReleβaˈðor

nounB2general
Use 'elevador' for a car seat booster for children, not for lifting the car itself.
A colorful child's booster seat placed on a car seat.

Examples

El niño todavía necesita un elevador para viajar en el coche.

The child still needs a booster seat to travel in the car.

Usamos un elevador hidráulico para levantar el coche.

We used a hydraulic jack to lift the car.

Compound Meaning

When referring to a booster seat, it is often part of the phrase 'asiento elevador', but parents often shorten it to just 'elevador'.

jack

nounC1general/games
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.

Jack vs. Gato vs. Críquet

The most common confusion is between 'gato', 'críquet', and the English loanword 'jack' when referring to a car jack. While 'gato' is the most general and widely understood term, 'críquet' is also specific to car jacks. When in doubt for a car jack, 'gato' is usually the safest bet.

Related Translations

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