Inklingo

How to Say "to replicate" in Spanish

English → Spanish

duplicar

/doo-plee-kar//du.pliˈkaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'duplicar' when you mean to make an exact physical copy of something, like a key or a document, or to double something in quantity.
Two identical blue toy cars sitting side by side.

Examples

Necesito duplicar esta llave para mi hermana.

I need to duplicate this key for my sister.

No debes duplicar el contenido en tu sitio web.

You should not duplicate content on your website.

El sistema ha duplicado los archivos por error.

The system has duplicated the files by mistake.

Direct objects

This verb almost always needs something to act on. You duplicate 'something' (a key, a file, a layer).

Spelling confusion

Mistake: “duplicé”

Correction: dupliqué

replicar

/reh-plee-KAHR//repliˈkaɾ/

verbB2formal, technical
Choose 'replicar' when referring to making an exact copy of something, especially in scientific or technical contexts, or when responding in an argument.
Two identical blue toy robots standing side-by-side on a wooden table.

Examples

Los científicos no pudieron replicar los resultados del estudio.

Scientists were not able to replicate the results of the study.

Queremos replicar este modelo de negocio en otros países.

We want to replicate this business model in other countries.

Es una máquina capaz de replicar cualquier pieza.

It is a machine capable of replicating any part.

Cognate Alert

This meaning is a perfect cognate of the English word 'to replicate.' It functions exactly the same way when talking about data, art, or actions.

Don't use it for photocopies

Mistake: “Tengo que replicar este documento.”

Correction: Tengo que fotocopiar este documento. 'Replicar' is for complex processes or exact duplication of results, not simple paperwork.

reproducir

/rreh-pro-doo-SEER//reproðuˈθir/

verbB2general, artistic
Use 'reproducir' when you want to copy or imitate a style, a work of art, a sound, or to reproduce offspring.
A machine making an identical copy of a red paper heart.

Examples

El artista intentó reproducir el estilo de Dalí.

The artist tried to reproduce Dali's style.

Es difícil reproducir este experimento en un laboratorio.

It is difficult to replicate this experiment in a lab.

Las bacterias se reproducen por división celular.

Bacteria reproduce through cell division.

Reflexive for Biology

When talking about animals or plants having babies, we usually add 'se' (reproducirse) to show the action happens within that group.

Duplicar vs. Replicar

Learners often confuse 'duplicar' and 'replicar' because both can mean 'to copy'. Remember that 'duplicar' is more common for everyday physical copies like keys, while 'replicar' is preferred for scientific results or exact reproductions of data.

Related Translations

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