Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Timer in Spanish: Temporizador
Temporizador · noun · tehm-poh-ree-sah-DOHR
Timer in Spanish is temporizador, a masculine noun for any device or function that counts down a set period. In cooking contexts, you may also hear minutero, while cronómetro refers to a stopwatch that counts upward. Temporizador is the safest all-purpose choice across regions.
Pronounce it tehm-poh-ree-sah-DOHR, placing stress on the final syllable.
Pon el temporizador en diez minutos.
Set the timer for ten minutes.
Timer in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for timer, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| temporizador | timer | tehm-poh-ree-sah-DOHR | Default, widely understood |
| cronómetro | timer | used for stopwatch-style timers | |
| minutero | timer | kitchen timer, some regions |
How Native Speakers Use Temporizador
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Cooking in the kitchen
El temporizador del horno sonó y saqué el pastel.
The oven timer went off and I took the cake out.
Kitchen timers are one of the most common uses of temporizador.
Setting a phone timer
Voy a poner un temporizador de veinte minutos para estudiar.
I'm going to set a twenty-minute timer to study.
Phone-based timers use the same word as physical devices.
Fitness timing
Usé el cronómetro para medir mis intervalos de carrera.
I used the timer to measure my running intervals.
For counting up or measuring elapsed time, cronómetro is the preferred term.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Temporizador
Using tiempo instead of temporizador
Incorrect: Pon el tiempo en cinco minutos.
Correct: Pon el temporizador en cinco minutos.
Tiempo means 'time' in a general sense, not a countdown device. Poner el tiempo would mean 'set the weather' in some contexts and confuse listeners.
Confusing cronómetro and temporizador
Incorrect: Activa el cronómetro del horno para quince minutos.
Correct: Activa el temporizador del horno para quince minutos.
A cronómetro counts upward like a stopwatch, while a temporizador counts down. Ovens count down, so temporizador is the correct choice.
Lock in Timer 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 Temporizador used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using temporizador in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Pon el temporizador en diez minutos. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Timer in Spanish
- How do you say timer in Spanish?
- Timer in Spanish is temporizador, pronounced tehm-poh-ree-sah-DOHR. It covers countdown devices on phones, ovens, microwaves, and any timed mechanism.
- What is the difference between temporizador and cronómetro?
- A temporizador counts down from a set amount of time and typically alerts you when it reaches zero. A cronómetro counts upward from zero, functioning like a stopwatch to measure elapsed time.
- Can I say minutero for timer?
- Minutero is understood in some regions, particularly for kitchen egg timers, but it is less universal than temporizador. Stick with temporizador if you want to be understood everywhere.