How to Say "tracking" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “tracking” is “seguimiento” — use this when referring to monitoring the progress or status of a package, a project, or a patient's medical condition.
seguimiento
seh-ghee-MYEHN-tohseɣiˈmjento
Examples
El seguimiento de mi envío indica que llegará mañana.
The tracking of my shipment indicates it will arrive tomorrow.
El médico le hará un seguimiento cada dos semanas.
The doctor will do a follow-up with him every two weeks.
Puedes hacer el seguimiento de tu pedido en nuestra web.
You can track your order on our website.
Es importante dar seguimiento a los clientes nuevos.
It is important to follow up with new clients.
Using 'Seguimiento' with Verbs
This word is almost always used with the verbs 'hacer' (to do/make) or 'dar' (to give). In business, 'dar seguimiento' is very common for 'following up' on a task.
Don't use it as a verb
Mistake: “Yo seguimiento el paquete.”
Correction: Yo hago el seguimiento del paquete.
rastreo
ras-TREH-ohrasˈtɾeo
Examples
El rastreo satelital confirmó la posición del avión.
The satellite tracking confirmed the plane's position.
El rastreo de mi paquete dice que llegará mañana.
The tracking for my package says it will arrive tomorrow.
La policía realizó un rastreo exhaustivo por el bosque.
The police carried out a thorough search through the forest.
El rastreo de contactos es vital para frenar la enfermedad.
Contact tracing is vital to stop the disease.
Tracking vs. The Track
Use 'rastreo' for the actual process or action of tracking. If you want to talk about the physical mark left behind (like a footprint), use the word 'rastro'.
Making it plural
To talk about multiple tracking efforts, just add an 's' to the end: 'los rastreos'.
Confusing 'Rastreo' and 'Rastro'
Mistake: “Vi un rastreo de oso en la nieve.”
Correction: Vi un rastro de oso en la nieve.
siguiendo
see-gee-EN-dohsiˈɣjendo
Examples
Estamos siguiendo el partido en directo.
We are following the game live.
Estamos siguiendo las noticias muy de cerca.
We are following the news very closely.
Ella está siguiendo una dieta estricta para el verano.
She is following a strict diet for the summer.
El perro te estuvo siguiendo por todo el parque.
The dog was following you throughout the entire park.
The 'Is Doing' Form
You use 'siguiendo' with the verb 'estar' (to be) to describe an action that is happening right at this moment or is ongoing: 'estoy siguiendo' (I am following).
Stem Change Reminder
The base verb 'seguir' (to follow) changes its 'e' to an 'i' when forming the gerund, which is why it becomes 'siguiendo' (e.g., 'pedir' becomes 'pidiendo').
Incorrect Gerund Form
Mistake: “Estamos *seguendo* el mapa.”
Correction: Estamos *siguiendo* el mapa. Remember the e-to-i spelling change for 'seguir' in this form.
localización
Examples
La localización del tesoro perdido fue un desafío.
The tracking/locating of the lost treasure was a challenge.
rastreador
ras-tre-ah-DORras.tɾe.aˈðoɾ
Examples
Utilizamos un dispositivo rastreador para encontrar el dron.
We used a tracking device to find the drone.
El equipo utilizó un perro rastreador para localizar la droga.
The team used a tracking dog to locate the drugs.
Necesitamos un sistema rastreador más potente para los envíos.
We need a more powerful tracking system for the shipments.
Su mirada rastreadora no dejó ni un rincón sin revisar.
His searching gaze did not leave a single corner unexamined.
Adjective Placement
Like most adjectives in Spanish, 'rastreador' usually comes after the noun it describes. For example: 'perro rastreador' (tracking dog).
Matching Gender
Mistake: “La máquina rastreador.”
Correction: La máquina rastreadora. Because 'máquina' is feminine, the adjective must change its ending to 'a'.
alineación
Examples
Necesito llevar el coche para una alineación de ruedas.
I need to take the car for a wheel alignment.
Tracking Packages vs. Following a Process
Related Translations
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