How to Say "password" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “password” is “contraseña” — use 'contraseña' when referring to the secret word or phrase needed to access digital accounts, systems, or devices..
English → Spanish
contraseña
nounA1digital access
Use 'contraseña' when referring to the secret word or phrase needed to access digital accounts, systems, or devices.
Examples
Olvidé mi contraseña para acceder al correo electrónico.
I forgot my password to access the email.
clave
KLAH-veh/ˈklaβe/
nounA2for access to a device or account
Use 'clave' for access to a device or account, especially when it might refer to a PIN, a key code, or a more general access mechanism beyond just a digital password.
Examples
Olvidé la clave de mi correo electrónico.
I forgot my email password.
Por seguridad, cambia tu clave cada mes.
For security, change your code every month.
Always Feminine
Even though 'clave' refers to a code or password, it is always a feminine noun: 'la clave'.
Gender Confusion
Mistake: “El clave (using the masculine article)”
Correction: La clave (always use the feminine article 'la' or 'una').
Contraseña vs. Clave
The most common confusion is overusing 'clave' for all digital passwords. While 'clave' can sometimes work, 'contraseña' is the more precise and universally understood term for online account passwords. Stick to 'contraseña' for digital security unless you're sure 'clave' is more appropriate for the specific context, like a PIN or a physical key code.
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