Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Lamp in Spanish: Lámpara
Lámpara · noun (feminine) · LAHM-pah-rah
Lámpara is the standard Spanish word for lamp, covering table lamps, floor lamps, desk lamps, and decorative fixtures. In Argentina: velador (bedside lamp). In Mexico: foco can mean light bulb.
LAHM-pah-rah
Enciende la lámpara, que está muy oscuro aquí.
Turn on the lamp, it is very dark in here.
Lamp in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for lamp, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| lámpara | lamp | LAHM-pah-rah | Default, widely understood |
| foco | lamp | Mexico — light bulb (sometimes lamp) | |
| velador | lamp | Argentina — bedside lamp |
How Native Speakers Use Lámpara
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Home décor
Compré una lámpara de pie para la sala de estar.
I bought a floor lamp for the living room.
Lámpara de pie = floor lamp; de mesa = table lamp; de techo = ceiling lamp.
Bedtime
Apaga la lámpara de la mesita de noche.
Turn off the bedside lamp.
Lámpara de la mesita de noche is the full phrase; in Argentina just velador.
Office
Necesito una buena lámpara de escritorio para estudiar.
I need a good desk lamp for studying.
Lámpara de escritorio = desk lamp.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Lámpara
Confusing lámpara with bombilla/foco
Incorrect: Se quemó la lámpara. (meaning the bulb burned out)
Correct: Se quemó la bombilla. / Se quemó el foco.
Lámpara = whole fixture. Bombilla/foco = the light bulb inside it.
Forgetting the accent
Incorrect: Compré una lampara nueva.
Correct: Compré una lámpara nueva.
Lámpara is esdrújula (stress on third-to-last syllable) and always requires written accent.
Lock in Lamp 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 Lámpara used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using lámpara in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Enciende la lámpara, que está muy oscuro aquí. 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 Lamp in Spanish
- How do you say lamp in Spanish?
- Lamp is lámpara. Types: de pie (floor), de mesa (table), de escritorio (desk), de techo (ceiling).
- What is a velador in Argentina?
- A bedside table lamp. The word comes from velar (to stay awake/keep watch).
- How do you say light bulb?
- Bombilla (Spain), foco (Mexico), or bombillo (Colombia, Caribbean).