🔌 Appliances
In this section you'll learn useful Spanish vocabulary for common home appliances, electronics, and household devices, along with everyday expressions for using them and talking about problems or repairs.
🟢 Basic Home Appliances
🧺 Washing machine → Lavadora
👕 Clothes dryer → Secadora
🧊 Refrigerator → Refrigerador
🔥 Stove → Estufa
♨️ Oven → Horno
🍽️ Dishwasher → Lavavajillas
📺 Television → Televisión
💻 Computer → Computadora
🟡 Small Kitchen Appliances
☕ Coffee maker → Cafetera
🍞 Toaster → Tostadora
🥤 Blender → Licuadora
🍲 Microwave → Microondas
🧊 Freezer → Congelador
🥪 Sandwich maker → Sandwichera
🧹 Cleaning & Laundry Appliances
🧹 Vacuum cleaner → Aspiradora
👕 Iron → Plancha
🧺 Washing machine → Lavadora
👚 Clothes dryer → Secadora
🌡️ Climate & Comfort Appliances
❄️ Air conditioner → Aire acondicionado
🌀 Fan → Ventilador
🔥 Heater → Calefactor
💧 Water heater → Calentador de agua
📺 Home Electronics
📺 Television → Televisión
💻 Computer → Computadora
🖨️ Printer → Impresora
📡 Router → Router / Enrutador
🔊 Speaker → Altavoz
🎮 Video game console → Consola de videojuegos
⚡ Useful Appliance Actions
🟢 To turn on → Encender
🔴 To turn off → Apagar
🔌 To plug in → Enchufar
🔌 To unplug → Desenchufar
🛠️ To repair → Reparar
⚙️ To work / function → Funcionar
👕 Helpful Grammar Tip
Appliance names can be masculine or feminine:
La lavadora - the washing machine
La cafetera - the coffee maker
El refrigerador - the refrigerator
El horno - the oven
La lavadora - the washing machine
La cafetera - the coffee maker
El refrigerador - the refrigerator
El horno - the oven
When describing an appliance, adjectives agree with the noun:
La lavadora es nueva.
The washing machine is new.
El horno es nuevo.
The oven is new.
La lavadora es nueva.
The washing machine is new.
El horno es nuevo.
The oven is new.
🌎 Regional Vocabulary Tip
Appliance names can vary across Spanish-speaking countries. For example, refrigerador, nevera, and frigorífico can all refer to a refrigerator.
For computer, you may hear computadora or computador in Latin America, while ordenador is common in Spain.
💬 Everyday Appliance Phrases
🧺 La lavadora no funciona.
The washing machine isn't working.
The washing machine isn't working.
❄️ ¿Puedes encender el aire acondicionado?
Can you turn on the air conditioner?
Can you turn on the air conditioner?
🔌 No olvides desenchufar la plancha.
Don't forget to unplug the iron.
Don't forget to unplug the iron.
📺 Apaga la televisión antes de salir.
Turn off the television before leaving.
Turn off the television before leaving.
🛠️ Problems & Repairs
⚠️ Está roto / rota.
It's broken.
It's broken.
🔌 No enciende.
It won't turn on.
It won't turn on.
⚙️ No funciona correctamente.
It isn't working properly.
It isn't working properly.
🛠️ Necesito llamar a un técnico.
I need to call a technician.
I need to call a technician.
💬 Everyday Conversations
Problem with an appliance
A: ¿Qué le pasa a la lavadora?
B: No enciende. Creo que está rota.
A: What's wrong with the washing machine?
B: It won't turn on. I think it's broken.
A: ¿Qué le pasa a la lavadora?
B: No enciende. Creo que está rota.
A: What's wrong with the washing machine?
B: It won't turn on. I think it's broken.
At home
A: ¿Puedes apagar el ventilador?
B: Claro, ahora mismo.
A: Can you turn off the fan?
B: Sure, right now.
A: ¿Puedes apagar el ventilador?
B: Claro, ahora mismo.
A: Can you turn off the fan?
B: Sure, right now.
📝 Example Sentences
🧹 Uso la aspiradora para limpiar la sala.
I use the vacuum cleaner to clean the living room.
I use the vacuum cleaner to clean the living room.
🧺 La secadora todavía está funcionando.
The clothes dryer is still running.
The clothes dryer is still running.
🌀 Encendimos el ventilador porque hacía mucho calor.
We turned on the fan because it was very hot.
We turned on the fan because it was very hot.
🖨️ La impresora necesita más papel.
The printer needs more paper.
The printer needs more paper.
🏆 Final Practice
Try saying each phrase before pressing play.
- La lavadora no funciona.
- Enciende el ventilador.
- Apaga la televisión.
- El horno está encendido.
- La secadora está rota.
- Necesito llamar a un técnico.