Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Calculator in Spanish: Calculadora
Calculadora · noun · kahl-koo-lah-DOH-rah
The word 'calculator' translates to 'calculadora' in Spanish. It refers to the electronic device used for mathematical computations, from basic arithmetic to scientific functions. The word is feminine in gender and universally understood across all Spanish-speaking regions.
kahl-koo-lah-DOH-rah
Olvidé mi calculadora y tuve que resolver el examen a mano.
I forgot my calculator and had to solve the exam by hand.
Calculator in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for calculator, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| calculadora | calculator | kahl-koo-lah-DOH-rah | Default, widely understood |
| calculador | calculator | masculine form, also means 'calculating person' |
How Native Speakers Use Calculadora
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Classroom
El profesor permite usar calculadora científica en el examen final.
The teacher allows the use of a scientific calculator on the final exam.
Specifies the type of calculator permitted in an academic setting.
Shopping
Usé la calculadora del teléfono para sumar los precios en la tienda.
I used my phone's calculator to add up the prices at the store.
References the digital calculator app on a smartphone.
Office
La contadora siempre tiene una calculadora en su escritorio.
The accountant always has a calculator on her desk.
Associates the tool with a professional workspace.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Calculadora
Gender Confusion
Incorrect: El calculadora no funciona.
Correct: La calculadora no funciona.
'Calculadora' is a feminine noun despite not ending in a typical -a pattern derived from a person; as a device, it always takes the feminine article 'la.'
Person vs. Device
Incorrect: Ella es una calculadora. (meaning she uses a calculator)
Correct: Ella es calculadora / Ella es muy calculadora.
Calling a person 'calculadora' means they are scheming or calculating in personality, not that they use the device; the device is the object 'una calculadora.'
Lock in Calculator 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 Calculadora used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using calculadora in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Olvidé mi calculadora y tuve que resolver el examen a mano. 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 Calculator in Spanish
- Why is 'calculadora' feminine if it ends like a person noun?
- In Spanish, device nouns ending in -dora (like 'computadora,' 'licuadora,' 'calculadora') are consistently feminine because they derive from the feminine agent suffix applied to machines. This pattern treats the machine as a 'female doer' of the action grammatically.
- How do I say 'to calculate' in Spanish?
- The verb is 'calcular,' a regular -ar verb conjugated like 'hablar.' You can say 'calculé el total' (I calculated the total) or 'necesito calcular los gastos' (I need to calculate the expenses).
- What is a 'calculadora científica'?
- A 'calculadora científica' is a scientific calculator capable of trigonometric, logarithmic, and statistical functions beyond basic arithmetic. Students in math, physics, and engineering courses across Spanish-speaking universities are typically required to own one.