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How to Say "monitor" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “monitor” is “monitor” — use 'monitor' when referring to the electronic screen of a computer or other device.

English → Spanish

monitor

moh-nee-tohrmoniˈtoɾ

nounA1general
Use 'monitor' when referring to the electronic screen of a computer or other device.
A sleek computer screen displaying a colorful landscape on a clean desk.

Examples

Necesito un monitor más grande para mi computadora.

I need a bigger monitor for my computer.

El monitor de la clínica muestra los latidos del corazón.

The clinic's monitor shows the heartbeats.

Always Masculine for Technology

When referring to a screen or a device, this word is always masculine ('el monitor'), regardless of who is using it.

pantalla

pan-TA-yapanˈtaʎa

nounA1general
Use 'pantalla' to refer to the display or screen itself, especially of smaller devices like phones or tablets, or more generally as the surface that shows an image.
A brightly lit, rectangular computer monitor displaying a simple, colorful landscape with a blue sky and green hills.

Examples

La pantalla de mi móvil se rompió cuando se me cayó.

The screen of my cell phone broke when I dropped it.

Ayer compré una televisión con una pantalla muy grande.

Yesterday I bought a television with a very large screen.

Estuve mirando la pantalla de mi ordenador todo el día.

I was staring at my computer screen all day.

Gender Reminder

Remember 'pantalla' is feminine, so you must use 'la' or 'una' with it: 'la pantalla'.

Confusing 'Pantalla' and 'Pizarra'

Mistake: “Using 'pantalla' for a chalkboard or whiteboard.”

Correction: Use 'pizarra' for a physical board where you write. 'Pantalla' is for electronic display or projection.

controlar

kohn-troh-LAHRkon.tɾoˈlaɾ

verbB2general
Use 'controlar' when you mean to keep track of, supervise, or manage progress, data, or a situation.
A uniformed inspector using a magnifying glass to closely examine a ticket.

Examples

El guardia controló mi billete en la entrada del museo.

The guard checked my ticket at the museum entrance.

Tenemos que controlar los datos semanalmente para ver si hay errores.

We have to monitor the data weekly to see if there are errors.

rastrear

rahs-treh-arras.tɾeˈaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'rastrear' when you want to follow or track the movement of something, like a package or a person.
A close-up view of clear, distinct large animal footprints leading across a soft, muddy forest floor.

Examples

Quiero rastrear mi paquete, ¿ya salió de la aduana?

I want to track my package; has it left customs yet?

La policía pudo rastrear la llamada hasta un edificio abandonado.

The police were able to trace the call to an abandoned building.

Los perros están rastreando el olor del excursionista perdido.

The dogs are tracking the scent of the lost hiker.

A Regular Verb

Rastrear is a completely regular -AR verb, meaning it follows all the standard conjugation patterns. If you know how to conjugate 'hablar,' you know how to conjugate 'rastrear'!

Confusing 'Rastrear' and 'Buscar'

Mistake: “Usar 'rastrear' cuando solo se quiere 'buscar'.”

Correction: Use 'buscar' (to look for) when the item is simply lost. Use 'rastrear' (to track/trace) when you are following a systematic trail or signal.

observador

ob-ser-ba-DORobseɾβaˈðoɾ

nounB1formal
Use 'observador' specifically for a person whose role is to officially watch or observe an event, like an election or a meeting.
A person standing on a hill using binoculars to look at a distant mountain range.

Examples

El observador de la ONU llegó para supervisar las elecciones.

The UN observer arrived to oversee the elections.

Desde mi posición como observador, vi todo lo que pasó.

From my position as an observer, I saw everything that happened.

Los científicos necesitan ser buenos observadores de la naturaleza.

Scientists need to be good observers of nature.

Noun Genders

Use 'el observador' for a male and 'la observadora' for a female.

Observer vs. Watcher

Mistake: “Soy un observador de televisión.”

Correction: Soy un espectador de televisión. Use 'observador' for someone monitoring or studying something, use 'espectador' for someone watching a show.

Device vs. Action

The most common mistake is using 'monitor' (the device) when you mean the action of checking or tracking. Remember, 'monitor' in Spanish is usually the noun for a computer screen. For the verb 'to monitor', you'll most often use 'controlar' or 'rastrear'.

Related Translations

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