Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
INSTRUCTIONS in Spanish: INSTRUCCIONES
Instrucciones · noun · een-strook-see-OH-nehs
Instrucciones is a direct cognate of instructions, making it immediately recognizable for English speakers. The word covers everything from assembly manuals to cooking directions to medical guidelines. Its synonym indicaciones is particularly useful in medical contexts, where a doctor's instructions for taking medication are called indicaciones médicas.
een-strook-see-OH-nehs
Lee las instrucciones antes de armar el mueble.
Read the instructions before assembling the furniture.
instructions in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for instructions, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| instrucciones | instructions | een-strook-see-OH-nehs | Default, widely understood |
| indicaciones | instructions | directions/guidelines | |
| pasos | instructions | steps (informal) |
How Native Speakers Use Instrucciones
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Product Manual
Las instrucciones vienen en tres idiomas.
The instructions come in three languages.
Referring to a product manual or guide.
Medical
Siga las indicaciones del médico al pie de la letra.
Follow the doctor's instructions to the letter.
Indicaciones is preferred in medical contexts.
Classroom
Antes de empezar el examen, lean las instrucciones con cuidado.
Before starting the exam, read the instructions carefully.
Teacher giving directions to students.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Instrucciones
Singular vs Plural
Incorrect: La instrucción dice que mezcles los ingredientes.
Correct: Las instrucciones dicen que mezcles los ingredientes.
When referring to a set of directions, instrucciones is almost always plural in Spanish, just as instructions is in English.
Confusing with Educación
Incorrect: La instrucción del paquete es difícil de entender.
Correct: Las instrucciones del paquete son difíciles de entender.
In singular, instrucción can mean education or training, not a single step of directions. Use the plural for how-to guidance.
Lock in instructions 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 Instrucciones used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using instrucciones in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Lee las instrucciones antes de armar el mueble. 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 instructions in Spanish
- What is the difference between instrucciones and indicaciones?
- Instrucciones are step-by-step directions for completing a task (assembly, cooking, test-taking). Indicaciones tend to be guidelines or recommendations, particularly from authorities or doctors, and can also mean road directions or signs.
- How do I say follow the instructions in Spanish?
- The most common phrases are sigue las instrucciones (informal) or siga las instrucciones (formal). You can add emphasis with sigue las instrucciones al pie de la letra (follow the instructions to the letter).
- How do I ask for instructions in Spanish?
- You can say ¿Me puede dar las instrucciones? (Can you give me the instructions?) or ¿Cuáles son los pasos? (What are the steps?) for a more informal approach.