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How to Say "wire" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cable

kah-blehˈkaβle

nounA1general
Use 'cable' for thick, often insulated conducting wires, especially those used for electricity or electronics like chargers or power cords.
A thick, coiled gray electrical cable with exposed copper wires at the end, suggesting power or connectivity.

Examples

El perro mordió el cable del cargador y ahora no funciona.

The dog bit the charger cable and now it doesn't work.

Tuvieron que usar un cable de acero para levantar el coche.

They had to use a steel cable to lift the car.

Always Masculine

Remember that 'cable' is always a masculine noun, so use 'el cable' or 'un cable,' even though it refers to something inanimate.

Confusing 'cable' and 'cuerda'

Mistake: “Usar 'cuerda' para un cable eléctrico.”

Correction: 'Cuerda' is usually for rope or string. Use 'cable' for electrical or internet connections.

alambre

ah-LAHM-brehaˈlambɾe

nounA2general
Use 'alambre' for a thin, bare strand of metal, often used for construction, crafts, or general-purpose binding.
A single roll of shiny silver metal wire sitting on a plain surface.

Examples

Necesito un trozo de alambre para arreglar la cerca.

I need a piece of wire to fix the fence.

Ten cuidado con el alambre de púas.

Be careful with the barbed wire.

El escultor utiliza alambre de cobre para sus obras.

The sculptor uses copper wire for his works.

Alambre is Masculine

Even though it ends in 'e', it's always 'el alambre'. Remember: 'el alambre largo' (the long wire).

Counting Wire

Like 'water' or 'gold', we often treat alambre as a material. To count it, we say 'un trozo de alambre' (a piece of wire) or 'un metro de alambre' (a meter of wire).

Wire vs. Cable

Mistake: “Using 'alambre' for your phone charger.”

Correction: Use 'cable' for electricity or data, and 'alambre' for structural metal strands like in a fence.

hilo

EE-lohˈilo

nounB1technical
Use 'hilo' specifically for the fine, delicate metallic filament inside an electrical component like a light bulb.
A thick, coiled copper electrical wire, partially stripped to show the metallic conductor inside.

Examples

Hay que cambiar el hilo de la bombilla, está fundido.

We have to change the light bulb's filament, it's burned out.

El electricista cortó el hilo rojo para arreglar el circuito.

The electrician cut the red wire to fix the circuit.

Technical Usage

In technical fields, 'cable' is often used for thicker bundles of wires, while 'hilo' is used for a single, thinner strand.

cuerda

KWEHR-dahˈkweɾða

nounB1specific
Use 'cuerda' when referring to the strings of musical instruments like guitars, pianos, or harps.
A single, thin, taut metal string stretched across the dark wooden surface of a musical instrument.

Examples

Necesito cambiar la sexta cuerda de mi guitarra.

I need to change the sixth string on my guitar.

El violín tiene cuatro cuerdas.

The violin has four strings.

String Section

Mistake: “Using 'sección de cuerdas' for the orchestra section.”

Correction: While understandable, the preferred term for the orchestra section is *la sección de violines* or *los instrumentos de cuerda*.

Distinguishing 'cable' and 'alambre'

Learners often confuse 'cable' and 'alambre'. Remember that 'cable' refers to thicker, insulated electrical wires, while 'alambre' is for thinner, bare metal strands used more broadly. Don't use 'alambre' for your phone charger!

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