Inklingo

How to Say "to code" in Spanish

English → Spanish

programar

/pro-gra-MAR//pɾoɡɾaˈmaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'programar' when referring to the general act of writing software, applications, or creating computer programs.
A person sitting at a desk with a glowing blue laptop screen showing colorful geometric blocks representing code.

Examples

Ella aprendió a programar en Python el año pasado.

She learned to program in Python last year.

Estamos programando una nueva aplicación para móviles.

We are coding a new mobile application.

Es difícil programar sin cometer errores al principio.

It is hard to code without making mistakes at first.

Using 'en' with Languages

When talking about which coding language you use, always use 'en' followed by the language name, like 'programar en Java' (to program in Java).

Don't say 'programar un software'

Mistake: “Voy a programar un software.”

Correction: Voy a programar software (or 'una aplicación').

codificar

/ko-dee-fee-KAR//koðifiˈkaɾ/

verbB1technical
Use 'codificar' when the focus is on converting information into a specific code, often for security (encryption) or to represent data in a particular format.
A friendly cat wearing glasses sitting in front of a glowing computer monitor with simple colored blocks representing computer code.

Examples

Necesitamos codificar los datos para proteger la privacidad de los clientes.

We need to encode the data to protect customer privacy.

Ella está aprendiendo a codificar en diferentes lenguajes de programación.

She is learning to code in different programming languages.

El mensaje fue codificado antes de ser enviado.

The message was encoded before being sent.

The 'C' to 'QU' Swap

In the past tense (preterite) 'yo' form and in the special 'wish/command' form (subjunctive), the 'c' changes to 'qu'. This happens so the word keeps its hard 'K' sound: 'codifiqué' instead of 'codificé'.

Verbs ending in -car

This word follows the standard pattern for all Spanish verbs ending in -car. Whenever the ending starts with an 'e', you must change the 'c' to 'qu'.

Spelling the Past Tense

Mistake: “Yo codificé el archivo.”

Correction: Yo codifiqué el archivo. (Always use 'qu' before 'e' to keep the 'k' sound.)

Programar vs. Codificar

Learners often confuse 'programar' and 'codificar'. Remember that 'programar' is for building software, while 'codificar' is typically for data transformation or encryption. Don't use 'codificar' for general software development.

Related Translations

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