How to Say "light switch" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “light switch” is “interruptor” — use 'interruptor' for the standard wall-mounted switch that controls lights in a house or building.
interruptor
een-teh-rroop-TOREinterupˈtoɾ
Examples
Apaga el interruptor de la luz antes de salir.
Turn off the light switch before leaving.
No encuentro el interruptor de la luz en la oscuridad.
I can't find the light switch in the dark.
Pulsa el interruptor para encender la máquina.
Press the switch to turn on the machine.
Se saltó el interruptor general de la casa.
The main circuit breaker of the house tripped.
Masculine Gender
This word is masculine, so always use it with masculine words like 'el' (the) or 'un' (a). For example: 'el interruptor'.
Don't say 'botón' for everything
Mistake: “Using 'botón' (button) for a wall switch.”
Correction: Use 'interruptor' for a switch that clicks or stays in a new position, and 'botón' for something you just push momentarily.
pera
PEH-rahˈpeɾa
Examples
Tira de la pera para encender la lámpara.
Pull the hanging switch to turn on the lamp.
El boxeador entrena cada mañana con la pera.
The boxer trains every morning with the speed bag.
La pera de la lámpara se ha roto.
The lamp's pull-switch is broken.
Usa la pera de goma para limpiar el polvo de la cámara.
Use the rubber bulb to clean the dust off the camera.
Shape-Based Naming
Spanish often uses the name of a fruit to describe objects that share its shape. This is why a speed bag is called a 'pera'.
Confusion with Lightbulbs
Mistake: “Tengo que comprar una pera para la luz.”
Correction: Tengo que comprar una bombilla. While 'pera' refers to the shape, the actual lightbulb is almost always called a 'bombilla'.
Interruptor vs. Pera
Related Translations
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