Inklingo

How to Say "serial" in Spanish

English → Spanish

serial

/seh-ryahl//seˈɾjal/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'serial' as an adjective when referring to a unique identifying number that follows a sequence, like a product's serial number.
A row of identical colorful toy blocks lined up one after another in a straight line.

Examples

Necesito el número serial de tu computadora para la garantía.

I need your computer's serial number for the warranty.

La policía está investigando a un posible asesino serial.

The police are investigating a possible serial killer.

El dispositivo tiene un puerto serial en la parte trasera.

The device has a serial port on the back.

Mi abuela siempre escuchaba un serial en la radio.

My grandmother always listened to a serial on the radio.

One Form for All

This word doesn't change its ending for masculine or feminine nouns. You can say 'el número serial' or 'la conexión serial'—it stays exactly the same.

Positioning

In Spanish, this word almost always comes after the thing it is describing (e.g., 'asesino serial' instead of 'serial killer').

Using the Article

As a noun, it is masculine. Always use 'el' or 'un' (e.g., 'el serial').

Serial vs. Serie

Mistake: “Uso el serial de televisión.”

Correction: Uso la serie de televisión. Use 'serie' for TV shows and 'serial' as a technical description.

Confusing with Cereal

Mistake: “Comí un serial para el desayuno.”

Correction: Comí cereal para el desayuno.

telenovela

/te-le-no-VE-la//telenoˈβela/

nounA1general
Use 'telenovela' for a story, especially a dramatic one, that is broadcast or published in installments, like a soap opera.
A colorful storybook illustration of a man and a woman in elegant clothing expressing intense emotions on a television set.

Examples

Mi abuela nunca se pierde su telenovela favorita.

My grandmother never misses her favorite soap opera.

Las telenovelas mexicanas son muy populares en muchos países.

Mexican soap operas are very popular in many countries.

Su vida amorosa parece una telenovela llena de dramas y secretos.

Their love life seems like a soap opera full of drama and secrets.

Easy Gender Rule

Since this word ends in 'a', it is feminine: 'la telenovela'. To make it plural, just add an 's': 'las telenovelas'.

Shortened Form

In casual conversation, many native speakers simply say 'la novela' when they are talking about the show they are watching on TV.

Soap vs. Jabón

Mistake: “Using 'jabón' to talk about a TV show.”

Correction: In English we say 'soap opera', but in Spanish, 'jabón' is only the stuff you use to wash your hands. Always use 'telenovela' for the show.

serial

nounB2general
Use 'serial' as a noun when referring to a story, like a radio drama or a book, that is released in sequential parts.

Examples

Mi abuela siempre escuchaba un serial en la radio.

My grandmother always listened to a serial on the radio.

Serial vs. Telenovela

Learners often confuse the noun 'serial' with 'telenovela'. Remember that 'telenovela' specifically refers to a television soap opera, while the noun 'serial' is broader and can apply to radio dramas or book installments.

Related Translations

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