How to Say "to connect" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to connect” is “conectar” — use 'conectar' primarily for electronic devices, Wi-Fi, or plugging things in.
conectar
koh-nek-TARko.nekˈtaɾ
Examples
¿Puedes conectar el teléfono al Wi-Fi?
Can you connect the phone to the Wi-Fi?
Esta carretera conecta la ciudad con el aeropuerto.
This highway links the city with the airport.
Conectaron todos los cables antes de encender la máquina.
They connected all the cables before turning on the machine.
Regular -AR Verb
Conectar is a regular verb, meaning its endings follow the standard pattern for all verbs that end in -ar. Once you know the pattern, you can conjugate hundreds of verbs!
Using the wrong preposition
Mistake: “Conectar con el internet.”
Correction: Conectar a internet (or a la red). In Spanish, we usually use 'a' when connecting to a service or network.
relacionar
re-la-syo-NARrelasjoˈnaɾ
Examples
Intenta relacionar cada palabra con su dibujo.
Try to relate each word to its drawing.
Es difícil relacionar estos dos sucesos.
It is difficult to connect these two events.
Los científicos relacionan el estrés con la falta de sueño.
Scientists link stress to a lack of sleep.
Using 'con'
In Spanish, we almost always use the word 'con' (with) after 'relacionar' to show what the second thing is. Example: 'Relaciono A con B'.
Spelling Change
The 'c' in 'relacionar' changes to a 'ce' or 'ci' sound depending on the vowel that follows, but in the subjunctive, the 'c' stays a 'c' because it's followed by 'e' (relacione), maintaining that 's' or 'th' sound.
Wrong Preposition
Mistake: “Relacionar a una cosa a otra.”
Correction: Relacionar una cosa con otra. We use 'con' to bridge the two related items.
asociar
ah-so-sy-ahrasoˈsjaɾ
Examples
Mucha gente asocia el color rojo con el amor.
Many people associate the color red with love.
Es difícil asociar este nombre con esa persona.
It is difficult to associate this name with that person.
Los científicos asocian el tabaquismo con varias enfermedades.
Scientists link smoking with several diseases.
The 'Con' Connection
When you want to say you associate A 'with' B, always use the word 'con' in Spanish, just like in English!
Mental vs. Physical Joining
Use 'asociar' for connecting ideas or business partners. If you are physically joining two objects like Lego bricks, use 'unir' or 'juntar' instead.
Using 'a' instead of 'con'
Mistake: “Asocio el verano a la playa.”
Correction: Asocio el verano con la playa. (We use 'con' to show the link between the two things.)
enlazar
en-lah-SAHRenlaˈsaɾ
Examples
Debemos enlazar los dos párrafos con una transición.
We should link the two paragraphs with a transition.
El puente enlaza la isla con el continente.
The bridge links the island with the continent.
Es importante enlazar estos conceptos en tu mente.
It is important to connect these concepts in your mind.
The 'Z' to 'C' spelling change
When the verb ending starts with 'e', the 'z' in enlazar changes to 'c' to keep the soft 's' sound. For example, 'enlacé' (I linked).
Using the 'Personal A'
If you are 'linking' or 'joining' people together in a social sense, remember to use 'a' before the person you are linking.
Keeping the Z in the Preterite
Mistake: “Yo enlazé.”
Correction: Yo enlacé. (Spanish spelling rules don't like 'ze' or 'zi' in most words; 'ce' is the correct spelling for that sound.)
vincular
been-koo-larbiŋkuˈlaɾ
Examples
Tienes que vincular tu cuenta de correo al teléfono.
You have to link your email account to the phone.
El sistema permite vincular varios dispositivos a la vez.
The system allows pairing several devices at once.
He vinculado mis redes sociales para compartir contenido.
I have linked my social networks to share content.
Using the preposition 'a'
When you connect one thing to another, you almost always use the word 'a'. Think of it as 'linking A to B'.
Missing the 'a'
Mistake: “Vincula el teléfono con el ordenador.”
Correction: Vincula el teléfono al ordenador.
comunicar
koh-moo-nee-karkomuniˈkaɾ
Examples
Esta puerta comunica con el salón principal.
This door connects to the main living room.
El pasillo comunica todas las habitaciones.
The hallway links all the rooms.
La nueva carretera comunica los dos pueblos.
The new road connects the two towns.
Physical Connection
When talking about rooms or roads connecting, use 'con' to show what it is connected to.
Confusing with 'Connect'
Mistake: “El cable comunica el monitor.”
Correction: El cable conecta el monitor. (Use 'conectar' for technology/plugs, and 'comunicar' for physical spaces like rooms.)
unirse
oo-NEER-sehuˈniɾse
Examples
Las dos carreteras principales se unen justo después del puente.
The two main roads connect right after the bridge.
Asegúrate de que los cables se unan firmemente.
Make sure the cables connect firmly.
Passive Voice Alternative
Spanish often uses the reflexive form ('se une') where English might use the passive voice ('is connected'). It’s a very natural way to describe how things come together without naming the person who did the connecting.
atar
ah-TAHRaˈtaɾ
Examples
Después de hablar con ella, empecé a atar cabos.
After talking to her, I started to put two and two together.
La policía no pudo atar al sospechoso con el crimen.
The police couldn't link the suspect to the crime.
Es difícil atar todos los detalles de esta historia.
It is difficult to connect all the details of this story.
Abstract Connections
When using 'atar' for ideas, it works just like 'to link' in English. You are effectively 'tying' two thoughts together with a mental rope.
Literal vs. Figurative
Mistake: “Saying 'ato la idea' directly.”
Correction: It's much more natural to say 'relaciono la idea' or use the idiom 'atar cabos' (tie the ends of a rope) when talking about figuring things out.
Conectar vs. Relacionar/Asociar
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.