Inklingo

How to Say "storage" in Spanish

English → Spanish

memoria

meh-MOH-ree-ah/meˈmo.ɾja/

nounB1general
Use 'memoria' when referring to the data storage capacity of electronic devices like phones, computers, or cameras.
A simple, high-quality illustration of a computer RAM stick, representing digital memory storage.

Examples

Mi teléfono se está quedando sin memoria para fotos y videos.

My phone is running out of memory for photos and videos.

Necesito un disco duro externo con más memoria.

I need an external hard drive with more storage/memory.

Technical Usage

When referring to a computer component, 'memoria' can be used on its own, but often requires a descriptor like 'memoria RAM' or 'tarjeta de memoria' (memory card).

capacidad

/kah-pah-see-dahd//kapaˈsiðað/

nounB2general/technical
Use 'capacidad' when talking about the physical or volumetric storage capacity of a space, container, or system.
A transparent glass jar completely filled to the very top with small, colorful marbles, illustrating the maximum volume it can hold.

Examples

El estadio tiene una capacidad para 50,000 espectadores.

The stadium has a capacity for 50,000 spectators.

El disco duro no tiene suficiente capacidad para guardar más archivos.

The hard drive doesn't have enough capacity (storage) to save more files.

La capacidad de la batería es de 5000 miliamperios.

The battery capacity is 5000 milliamperes.

Measure Words

When discussing physical volume, 'capacidad' often pairs with numbers and units of measure, such as 'capacidad para 10 litros' (capacity for 10 liters).

Confusing 'memoria' and 'capacidad'

Learners often confuse 'memoria' and 'capacidad' when discussing storage. Remember that 'memoria' is almost exclusively for digital data storage, while 'capacidad' refers to general physical volume or potential.

Related Translations

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