Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Clock in Spanish: Reloj
Reloj · noun · rreh-LOHH
Reloj is the Spanish word for any timekeeping device, whether it is a clock on a wall or a watch on your wrist. Spanish uses compound phrases to specify the type: reloj de pared for a wall clock, reloj de pulsera for a wristwatch, and reloj despertador for an alarm clock. The plural form is relojes.
Reloj is pronounced rreh-LOHH. The initial 'r' is a strong trilled 'rr' sound because it begins the word. The final 'j' produces a breathy, aspirated sound from the back of the throat, similar to the 'ch' in the Scottish word 'loch.'
El reloj de la plaza marca las doce en punto.
The clock in the plaza reads exactly twelve o'clock.
Clock in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for clock, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| reloj | clock | rreh-LOHH | Default, widely understood |
| reloj de pared | clock | wall clock | |
| reloj de pulsera | clock | wristwatch | |
| reloj despertador | clock | alarm clock |
How Native Speakers Use Reloj
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Wall clock
Necesitamos comprar un reloj de pared para la cocina.
We need to buy a wall clock for the kitchen.
Reloj de pared specifies a clock that hangs on or is mounted to a wall.
Wristwatch
Mi abuelo me regaló su reloj de pulsera cuando cumplí dieciocho.
My grandfather gave me his wristwatch when I turned eighteen.
Reloj de pulsera literally means 'wrist clock' and is the standard term for a watch.
Alarm clock
No escuché el reloj despertador y llegué tarde al trabajo.
I didn't hear the alarm clock and arrived late to work.
Reloj despertador combines reloj with despertador (awakener) to describe an alarm clock.
Asking the time
¿Tienes reloj? ¿Qué hora es?
Do you have a watch? What time is it?
Reloj on its own, without a descriptor, can refer to either a clock or a watch depending on context.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Reloj
Incorrect plural form
Incorrect: Hay dos relojs en la sala.
Correct: Hay dos relojes en la sala.
The plural of reloj is relojes, not relojs. Spanish words ending in a consonant typically add -es to form the plural.
Using alarma instead of despertador
Incorrect: Pon el reloj de alarma a las siete.
Correct: Pon el reloj despertador a las siete.
The standard Spanish term is reloj despertador, not reloj de alarma. While alarma exists, despertador is the established word for an alarm clock.
Lock in 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 Reloj used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using reloj in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El reloj de la plaza marca las doce en punto. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Clock in Spanish
- Does reloj mean both clock and watch in Spanish?
- Reloj covers any timekeeping device in Spanish, so to be specific, say reloj de pared (wall clock), reloj de pulsera (wristwatch), or reloj de bolsillo (pocket watch).
- What is the plural of reloj?
- The plural is relojes. For example, 'La tienda vende relojes de lujo' (The store sells luxury watches).
- How do you say 'clockwise' in Spanish?
- Clockwise is 'en el sentido de las agujas del reloj,' which literally translates to 'in the direction of the hands of the clock.' Counterclockwise is 'en el sentido contrario a las agujas del reloj.'