How to Say "recorded" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “recorded” is “grabado” — use 'grabado' when referring to audio, video, or digital data that has been captured or stored.
grabado
gra-BAH-dohɡɾaˈβaðo
Examples
El concierto está grabado en alta definición.
The concert is recorded in high definition.
Encontraron un mensaje grabado en la pared de la cueva.
They found a message engraved on the cave wall.
La canción ya fue grabada, solo falta publicarla.
The song has already been recorded; it just needs to be released.
Using 'Grabado' as an Adjective
Like many past participles, 'grabado' can act as a descriptive word. Remember to match its ending to the thing it describes: 'La película grabada' (The recorded movie, feminine) vs. 'El audio grabado' (The recorded audio, masculine).
Forming Perfect Tenses
'Grabado' is also the form used with the verb 'haber' (to have) to create perfect tenses: 'Hemos grabado un podcast' (We have recorded a podcast).
Mixing up 'Grabado' and 'Grabar'
Mistake: “Yo grabado la canción.”
Correction: Yo grabé la canción. ('Grabado' is the past form, not the simple past tense verb itself.)
registrado
reh-hees-TRAH-dohrexisˈtɾa.ðo
Examples
Hemos registrado un aumento en las ventas este mes.
We have registered (or recorded) an increase in sales this month.
Este es un producto registrado y protegido por la ley.
This is a registered product, protected by law.
La marca registrada de la empresa es muy conocida.
The company's registered trademark is well known.
El nombre del hotel está registrado en la base de datos.
The hotel's name is recorded in the database.
Agreement Rule
As an adjective, 'registrado' must match the thing it describes in both gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'la casa registrada', 'los nombres registrados'.
How to Use Past Participles
'Registrado' is the part of the verb that never changes when you use it with the helping verb 'haber' to talk about completed actions: 'He registrado', 'Hemos registrado', 'Han registrado'. It always stays 'registrado' (or 'registrada', etc., if used as a standalone adjective).
The Passive Voice
You use 'registrado' with the verb 'ser' (to be) to show that someone or something received the action (the passive voice): 'El evento fue registrado por la cámara' (The event was recorded by the camera).
Confusing Verb Forms
Mistake: “Using the base verb 'registrar' instead of the past participle with 'haber'. Example: *Hemos registrar*”
Correction: Always use 'registrado' after 'haber' to form perfect tenses. Correct: 'Hemos registrado la entrada'.
anotado
ah-no-TAH-dohanoˈtaðo
Examples
Tengo tu número de teléfono anotado en mi libreta.
I have your phone number noted down in my notebook.
El nombre del ganador ya está anotado.
The winner's name is already recorded.
Todo lo que dijo el profesor quedó anotado.
Everything the teacher said was written down.
Matching the Ending
Even though we are looking at 'anotado', you must change the ending to 'anotada' if you are describing something feminine, like 'una cita' (an appointment).
Describing a State
When used with the word 'estar' (to be), this word describes the state of something that has already been written.
The 'Estar' vs 'Haber' Confusion
Mistake: “La nota ha anotada.”
Correction: La nota está anotada.
registrado
reh-hees-TRAH-dohrexisˈtɾa.ðo
Examples
Este es un producto registrado y protegido por la ley.
This is a registered product, protected by law.
La marca registrada de la empresa es muy conocida.
The company's registered trademark is well known.
El nombre del hotel está registrado en la base de datos.
The hotel's name is recorded in the database.
Hemos registrado un aumento en las ventas este mes.
We have registered (or recorded) an increase in sales this month.
Agreement Rule
As an adjective, 'registrado' must match the thing it describes in both gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'la casa registrada', 'los nombres registrados'.
How to Use Past Participles
'Registrado' is the part of the verb that never changes when you use it with the helping verb 'haber' to talk about completed actions: 'He registrado', 'Hemos registrado', 'Han registrado'. It always stays 'registrado' (or 'registrada', etc., if used as a standalone adjective).
The Passive Voice
You use 'registrado' with the verb 'ser' (to be) to show that someone or something received the action (the passive voice): 'El evento fue registrado por la cámara' (The event was recorded by the camera).
Confusing Verb Forms
Mistake: “Using the base verb 'registrar' instead of the past participle with 'haber'. Example: *Hemos registrar*”
Correction: Always use 'registrado' after 'haber' to form perfect tenses. Correct: 'Hemos registrado la entrada'.
Audio vs. Official Records
Related Translations
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