Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Alarm Clock in Spanish: Despertador
Despertador · noun · dehs-pehr-tah-DOHR
The Spanish word for 'alarm clock' is 'despertador,' derived from the verb 'despertar' (to wake up). It refers to any device—traditional or digital—used to wake someone at a set time. In modern usage, many Spanish speakers also use 'alarma' when referring to the alarm function on a smartphone.
dehs-pehr-tah-DOHR
Puse el despertador a las seis de la mañana para no llegar tarde al vuelo.
I set the alarm clock at six in the morning so I wouldn't be late for the flight.
Alarm Clock in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for alarm clock, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| despertador | alarm clock | dehs-pehr-tah-DOHR | Default, widely understood |
| alarma | alarm clock | informal or referring to phone alarms |
How Native Speakers Use Despertador
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Morning routine
El despertador sonó tres veces antes de que finalmente me levantara de la cama.
The alarm clock went off three times before I finally got out of bed.
Sonar (to ring/sound) is the typical verb paired with despertador.
Shopping
Compré un despertador vintage con campanas metálicas en la tienda de antigüedades.
I bought a vintage alarm clock with metal bells at the antique shop.
Despertador can describe both modern digital and classic mechanical clocks.
Phone alarm
Prefiero usar la alarma del teléfono porque puedo elegir mi canción favorita como tono.
I prefer using the phone alarm because I can choose my favorite song as the ringtone.
Alarma is commonly used for smartphone alarm functions.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Despertador
Literal translation
Incorrect: Necesito comprar un reloj de alarma nuevo.
Correct: Necesito comprar un despertador nuevo.
Reloj de alarma is an overly literal calque from English; despertador is the established Spanish term for alarm clock.
Verb confusion
Incorrect: El despertador despertó a las siete.
Correct: El despertador sonó a las siete.
Despertar means to wake up and applies to people, not devices; clocks 'sonar' (ring or go off) rather than 'wake up' themselves.
Lock in Alarm Clock Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Despertador used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using despertador in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Puse el despertador a las seis de la mañana para no llegar tarde al vuelo. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Alarm Clock in Spanish
- What verb do you use with despertador in Spanish?
- The most natural combination is 'poner el despertador' (to set the alarm clock) and 'el despertador suena' (the alarm clock goes off). You can also say 'apagar el despertador' when you turn it off or 'sonar' when describing the moment it rings.
- Is there a difference between despertador and alarma?
- Despertador specifically refers to a clock or device designed to wake you up, while alarma is a broader term covering any type of alert. In everyday speech, many people use 'alarma' for their phone's wake-up function, but a physical bedside alarm clock is always a despertador.
- How do you say 'snooze the alarm' in Spanish?
- The most widely understood phrase is 'posponer la alarma' or 'aplazar el despertador,' though neither is a perfect equivalent of the English 'snooze.' Some younger speakers have adopted the anglicism 'darle al snooze,' but this is informal and not universally recognized.