Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
WIRE in Spanish: ALAMBRE
Alambre · noun · ah-LAHM-breh
Wire in Spanish is alambre when referring to a thin, flexible strand of metal. For electrical wiring, cable is the standard term, and for a financial wire transfer, the phrase is transferencia bancaria. Understanding which term to use depends entirely on whether you mean physical metal wire, electrical cabling, or moving money electronically.
ah-LAHM-breh
Necesito un trozo de alambre para arreglar la cerca.
I need a piece of wire to fix the fence.
Wire in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for wire, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| alambre | wire | ah-LAHM-breh | Default, widely understood |
| cable | wire | electrical wire or cord | |
| transferencia | wire | wire transfer (financial) |
How Native Speakers Use Alambre
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Metal fencing wire
El granjero rodeó el campo con alambre de púas.
The farmer surrounded the field with barbed wire.
Alambre de púas is the fixed expression for barbed wire.
Electrical wiring
El electricista revisó todos los cables de la casa antes de la inspección.
The electrician checked all the wires in the house before the inspection.
Cable is used for insulated electrical wiring.
Wire transfer
Hice una transferencia bancaria para pagar el depósito del apartamento.
I did a wire transfer to pay the apartment deposit.
Transferencia bancaria is the standard phrase for sending money electronically.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Alambre
Using alambre for electrical wires
Incorrect: El alambre de la lámpara está pelado.
Correct: El cable de la lámpara está pelado.
Alambre refers to bare metal wire. Insulated electrical wires are called cables in Spanish. Mixing them up can cause confusion, especially in safety-related conversations.
Saying guaya instead of alambre in formal contexts
Incorrect: Necesitamos guaya para la construcción. (in a formal document)
Correct: Necesitamos alambre para la construcción.
Guaya is regional slang (Caribbean) for a thick wire or cable. In formal, technical, or written contexts, alambre or cable is the appropriate choice.
Lock in Wire 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 Alambre used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using alambre in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Necesito un trozo de alambre para arreglar la cerca. 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 Wire in Spanish
- What is the difference between alambre and cable?
- Alambre refers to bare, uninsulated metal wire—the kind used in fencing, crafts, or construction. Cable refers to insulated wiring used for electricity, internet, or telecommunications. If you can see the metal strand exposed, it is alambre; if it is coated in plastic or rubber insulation, it is cable.
- How do you say 'wire transfer' in Spanish?
- The standard term is transferencia bancaria (bank transfer) or transferencia electrónica (electronic transfer). The English word 'wire' in this financial sense does not translate directly—Spanish describes the action rather than the medium. Giro bancario is an older term still used in some countries for similar transactions.
- What does alambre mean in Mexican food?
- In Mexican cuisine, alambres is a popular dish of grilled meat (usually beef or chicken), peppers, onions, and melted cheese served with tortillas. The name comes from the metal skewer (alambre) originally used to grill the ingredients, though modern versions are typically cooked on a flat griddle.