How do I say 'first gear' in a car?

First gear is primera marcha or primera velocidad. When driving, you say 'meter primera' (to put it in first) — a common expression in countries where manual transmission is standard.

What is the difference between equipo and equipamiento?

Both can mean equipment/gear, but equipamiento tends to refer to built-in equipment or outfitting (like a car's features or a room's furnishings), while equipo refers to portable gear you bring with you.

How do I say 'gear up' in Spanish?

To gear up or get equipped is prepararse or equiparse — 'Nos equipamos para la expedición' (We geared up for the expedition).

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

GEAR in Spanish: EQUIPO

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Equipo · noun · eh-KEE-poh

The English word 'gear' has multiple meanings, and Spanish uses different words for each: equipo for equipment and gear (camping gear, sports gear), engranaje for a mechanical gear or cogwheel, and marcha or velocidad for a car's transmission gear. Choosing the right translation requires identifying which type of gear you mean.

eh-KEE-poh

Necesito comprar equipo nuevo para acampar.

I need to buy new gear for camping.

Gear in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for gear, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
equipo	gear	eh-KEE-poh	Default, widely understood
engranaje	gear		mechanical gear
marcha	gear		car gear/transmission

How Native Speakers Use Equipo

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Equipment

Empaca todo tu equipo de senderismo.

Pack all your hiking gear.

Outdoor activity preparation.

Mechanical

El engranaje de la bicicleta está oxidado.

The bicycle gear is rusty.

Mechanical components.

Driving

Cambia a segunda marcha en la subida.

Shift to second gear on the hill.

Manual transmission driving.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Equipo

Using One Word for All Meanings

Incorrect: Cambia el equipo del carro.

Correct: Cambia la marcha del carro.

Equipo means gear as in equipment/supplies, not a car's gear. For transmission gears, use marcha or velocidad.

Confusing Equipo with Team

Incorrect: Compré un equipo nuevo de fútbol.

Correct: Compré equipo nuevo para fútbol.

Un equipo de fútbol means a soccer team, while equipo para fútbol means soccer gear. The preposition changes the meaning entirely.

Lock in Gear 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 Equipo used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using equipo in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Necesito comprar equipo nuevo para acampar. 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 Gear in Spanish

How do I say 'first gear' in a car?: First gear is primera marcha or primera velocidad. When driving, you say 'meter primera' (to put it in first) — a common expression in countries where manual transmission is standard.
What is the difference between equipo and equipamiento?: Both can mean equipment/gear, but equipamiento tends to refer to built-in equipment or outfitting (like a car's features or a room's furnishings), while equipo refers to portable gear you bring with you.
How do I say 'gear up' in Spanish?: To gear up or get equipped is prepararse or equiparse — 'Nos equipamos para la expedición' (We geared up for the expedition).