Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Battery in Spanish
Batería · noun · bah-teh-REE-ah
The Spanish word for battery is 'batería,' a feminine noun used for rechargeable batteries in phones, cars, and electronics. For small disposable batteries (AA, AAA), many Spanish speakers use 'pila.' Batería also means drum set in musical contexts, so context is key.
Batería is pronounced bah-teh-REE-ah. The accent on the 'i' breaks the normal diphthong, creating four distinct syllables with the stress on the third.
La batería de mi teléfono se agotó a mitad del día.
My phone's battery ran out in the middle of the day.
battery in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for battery, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| batería | battery | bah-teh-REE-ah | Default, widely understood |
| pila | battery | used for small disposable batteries like AA or AAA |
How Native Speakers Use Batería
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Phone battery
Necesito cargar la batería antes de salir de casa.
I need to charge the battery before leaving the house.
Everyday usage referring to a phone or laptop battery.
Car battery
El mecánico dijo que la batería del carro está muerta.
The mechanic said the car battery is dead.
Used in automotive contexts.
Small batteries
El control remoto necesita pilas nuevas.
The remote control needs new batteries.
Pila is the standard word for small disposable batteries.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Batería
Confusing batería meanings
Incorrect: Toca la batería del teléfono. (meaning phone battery)
Correct: Carga la batería del teléfono.
Tocar la batería means 'to play the drums.' When talking about a phone battery, use verbs like 'cargar' (charge) or 'cambiar' (replace).
Pila vs. batería
Incorrect: Necesito comprar una batería para el reloj.
Correct: Necesito comprar una pila para el reloj.
For small devices like watches and remote controls, 'pila' is the natural word. Batería is reserved for larger rechargeable batteries.
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See Batería used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using batería in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear La batería de mi teléfono se agotó a mitad del día. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About battery in Spanish
- When do you use pila instead of batería?
- Pila is used for small, disposable batteries like those in remote controls, flashlights, and toys, while batería refers to larger rechargeable batteries found in cars, phones, and laptops.
- Does batería also mean drums?
- Batería has a double meaning in Spanish — it refers to both a battery (power source) and a drum set, so 'toca la batería' means 'he plays the drums,' not anything related to batteries.
- How do you say 'the battery is low' in Spanish?
- The most natural way is 'la batería está baja' or 'queda poca batería,' both of which are commonly seen on phone screens and in everyday conversation.