Inklingo

How to Say "ringing" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “ringing” is “sonando” — use this word when referring to the sound of a phone, a doorbell, or a bell that is actively making noise.

sonando🔊A1

Use this word when referring to the sound of a phone, a doorbell, or a bell that is actively making noise.

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llamando🔊B1

Use this when someone is making a sound to get your attention at a door, like knocking or ringing a doorbell.

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tocando🔊B1

This is used for the action of making a sound at a door, similar to knocking or ringing a doorbell.

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sonoro🔊B1

Describe a sound, especially a voice or bell, that is loud, clear, and resonant.

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toque🔊B1

Refer to the specific sound or chime of a bell, often used for bells marking time or events.

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pitido🔊B2

Use this for a high-pitched ringing sound in the ears, often a medical condition like tinnitus.

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zumbido🔊B2

This refers to a buzzing or humming ringing sound, commonly experienced in the ears after loud noise exposure.

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English → Spanish

sonando

so-NAN-dohsoˈnando

verbA1general
Use this word when referring to the sound of a phone, a doorbell, or a bell that is actively making noise.
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-dohʝaˈman.do

verbB1general
Use this when someone is making a sound to get your attention at a door, like knocking or ringing 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-dohtoˈkando

verbB1general
This is used for the action of making a sound at a door, similar to knocking or ringing a doorbell.
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'.

sonoro

so-NO-rosoˈno.ɾo

adjectiveB1general
Describe a sound, especially a voice or bell, that is loud, clear, and resonant.
A large golden bell vibrating with visible ripple lines around it to show a deep, clear sound.

Examples

Tenía una risa sonora que se escuchaba en toda la casa.

She had a resonant laugh that could be heard throughout the house.

El actor tiene una voz muy sonora y profunda.

The actor has a very resonant and deep voice.

Un aplauso sonoro cerró la función de teatro.

A loud round of applause closed the theater performance.

Adjective Agreement

This word must match the gender of the object it describes. Use 'sonoro' for masculine things (un ruido sonoro) and 'sonora' for feminine things (una voz sonora).

Sonoro vs. Ruidoso

Mistake: “Using 'sonoro' to mean an annoying or messy noise.”

Correction: Use 'ruidoso' for annoying noise (like traffic). Use 'sonoro' for sounds that have a strong, clear, or musical quality.

toque

TOH-kehˈto.ke

nounB1general
Refer to the specific sound or chime of a bell, often used for bells marking time or events.
A large, golden cartoon bell hanging, with visible sound waves radiating outwards to indicate a chime.

Examples

A las doce sonó el toque de campanas que anunciaba la misa.

At twelve, the chime of the bells rang out announcing the mass.

El toque de trompeta indicó el fin del desfile.

The trumpet signal indicated the end of the parade.

Signal Noun

When used for signals, 'toque' refers to the specific pattern or type of sound (a repeated action of 'touching' the bell/instrument), not just the general noise.

pitido

pee-TEE-dohpiˈtiðo

nounB2general
Use this for a high-pitched ringing sound in the ears, often a medical condition like tinnitus.
A person holding their hand to their ear with a confused expression and tiny stars floating near their head.

Examples

Tengo un pitido constante en el oído derecho.

I have a constant ringing in my right ear.

Después del concierto, me quedaron pitidos en los oídos.

After the concert, I was left with ringing in my ears.

El médico me examinó por ese pitido molesto.

The doctor examined me for that annoying ringing.

Singular vs. Plural

You can use 'un pitido' if it's one specific sound or 'pitidos' if it's a general sensation of ringing.

Using 'Ruido' instead

Mistake: “Tengo un ruido en el oído.”

Correction: Tengo un pitido en el oído. While 'ruido' means noise, 'pitido' specifically describes the high-pitched ringing sensation.

zumbido

thoom-BEE-dohθumˈbiðo

nounB2general
This refers to a buzzing or humming ringing sound, commonly experienced in the ears after loud noise exposure.
A character sitting peacefully with their eyes closed, while small sparkling yellow stars or musical notes float around their ears to represent a ringing sensation.

Examples

Después del concierto, tuve un zumbido en los oídos toda la noche.

After the concert, I had a ringing in my ears all night.

El médico dice que el zumbido se llama tinnitus.

The doctor says the ringing is called tinnitus.

Siento un zumbido persistente desde ayer.

I've been feeling a persistent ringing since yesterday.

Talking about body parts

In Spanish, we usually say 'los oídos' (the ears) instead of 'mis oídos' (my ears) when the context makes it clear whose ears they are.

Using 'ringing' literally

Mistake: “Tengo un anillo en mi oído.”

Correction: Tengo un zumbido en el oído. ('Anillo' is a ring you wear on your finger; 'zumbido' is the sound in your ear.)

Verbs vs. Nouns for Ear Ringing

Learners often confuse 'pitido' and 'zumbido' for ringing in the ears. While both refer to tinnitus, 'pitido' implies a higher-pitched sound, whereas 'zumbido' suggests a more continuous buzzing or humming. Pay attention to the specific quality of the sound you want to describe.

Related Translations

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