Inklingo

How to Say "repair" in Spanish

English → Spanish

arreglar

ah-rreh-GLAHRarreˈɣlaɾ

verbA1general
Use this verb when talking about the act of fixing machines, devices, or vehicles.
A small child carefully using tape to repair a broken wooden toy train on a colorful rug.

Examples

Necesito arreglar mi ordenador portátil.

I need to fix my laptop.

Necesito arreglar la puerta del garaje. Está caída.

I need to fix the garage door. It has fallen down.

Mi hermano arregló mi bicicleta vieja para que pudiera usarla.

My brother repaired my old bicycle so I could use it.

reparación

nounA2general
Use this noun to refer to the general act or process of repairing something that is broken.

Examples

La reparación del tejado costará mucho dinero.

The repair of the roof will cost a lot of money.

arreglo

ah-rreh-gloaˈrreɣlo

nounA2general
Use this noun when referring to the specific fix or the completed repair work itself, especially for mechanical items.
A wooden chair with a visible patch or glue fixing a broken leg, illustrating the concept of repair.

Examples

Pedí un arreglo para la lavadora.

I requested a repair for the washing machine.

Necesito llevar mi coche al taller para el arreglo de los frenos.

I need to take my car to the shop for the repair of the brakes.

¿Puedes hacer un arreglo rápido a esta falda?

Can you make a quick fix (or mend) to this skirt?

Después del arreglo, la casa se veía mucho mejor.

After tidying up, the house looked much better.

Masculine Noun

Even though it ends in '-o', remember that 'arreglo' is always masculine, using 'el' or 'un'.

Using 'arreglar' instead of 'arreglo'

Mistake: “Hice la arreglar de la bici.”

Correction: Hice el arreglo de la bici. ('Arreglar' is the verb 'to fix'; 'arreglo' is the noun 'the fix/repair'.)

restauración

nounB1formal
Use this noun when the repair involves returning something, like an antique or artwork, to its original condition.

Examples

La restauración de la iglesia antigua fue un proyecto largo.

The restoration of the old church was a long project.

Verb vs. Noun for 'Repair'

The most common confusion is between the verb 'arreglar' and the nouns 'reparación' or 'arreglo'. Remember that 'arreglar' is the action, while 'reparación' and 'arreglo' refer to the result or the process as a thing. 'Arreglo' often implies a specific fix, while 'reparación' is more general.

Related Translations

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