Inklingo

How to Say "ringing" in Spanish

English → Spanish

sonando

/so-NAN-doh//soˈnando/

verbA1general
Use this word when referring to electronic devices like phones or alarms that are emitting a sound.
A golden bell swinging and vibrating as if it is ringing.

Examples

El teléfono está sonando desde hace un minuto.

The phone has been ringing for a minute.

Tu canción favorita está sonando en la radio.

Your favorite song is playing on the radio.

Se está sonando la nariz porque tiene un resfriado.

He is blowing his nose because he has a cold.

The '-ing' Ending

The ending '-ando' is the Spanish equivalent of '-ing.' Use it with the verb 'estar' (to be) to show that something is happening right now.

Don't forget the 'to be' verb

Mistake: “El teléfono sonando.”

Correction: El teléfono está sonando.

llamando

yah-MAHN-doh/ʝaˈman.do/

verbB1general
Use this when a bell or alarm is being activated, often implying someone is initiating the sound, like a doorbell.
A close-up view of a hand with a slightly clenched fist knocking on a plain wooden door.

Examples

Oigo ruido, alguien está llamando a la puerta principal.

I hear noise, someone is knocking at the main door.

La ambulancia está llamando la atención con su sirena.

The ambulance is drawing attention with its siren (by calling/sounding the alarm).

Knocking vs. Phoning

When 'llamar' means 'knocking,' it almost always needs the little word 'a' (like 'at' in English) before the thing being knocked on: 'llamando a la puerta'.

tocando

/toh-KAHN-doh//toˈkando/

verb (gerund)B1general
This specifically refers to the physical act of knocking on a door, as if 'ringing' a doorbell by knocking.
A human fist making contact with a wooden door, depicting the action of knocking.

Examples

¿Quién está tocando la puerta a estas horas?

Who is knocking on the door at this hour?

La campana de la iglesia está tocando las doce.

The church bell is ringing twelve (o'clock).

Ahora le está tocando a Juan hacer la limpieza.

Now it is Juan's turn to do the cleaning. (Lit: Now it is touching Juan to do the cleaning.)

Impersonal Duty (Tocarle a alguien)

When used with an indirect object pronoun (like 'le' or 'me'), 'tocar' means something is a duty or obligation for that person. 'Me está tocando' means 'It is my turn/duty right now'.

Knocking vs. Sounding

Learners often confuse 'tocando' and 'llamando' with 'sonando'. Remember that 'sonando' is for the sound itself (like a phone ringing), while 'tocando' and 'llamando' describe the action of causing the sound, especially when someone is physically at a door.

Related Translations

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