Understanding the Spanish terms for “printer” and related vocabulary is crucial whether you’re setting up a new device, troubleshooting technical issues, or simply expanding your Spanish tech lexicon. The English word “printer” translates into Spanish in different ways depending on the context. This guide will clarify these translations and equip you with the essential Spanish printer terminology.
“Printer” as a Device: “Impresora”
When referring to a printer as a machine that produces hard copies of documents from a computer, the Spanish translation is impresora (feminine noun, nf). This is the most common translation you’ll encounter when discussing computer peripherals.
For example, if you want to say: “Click on print and your document should come out of the printer,” in Spanish, you would say: “Haz clic en ‘imprimir’ y tu documento debería salir por la impresora.”
Within this category, there are various types of printers, and Spanish also has specific terms for these:
- Inkjet printer: impresora de chorro de tinta or impresora de inyección de tinta
- Laser printer: impresora láser
- Dot-matrix printer: impresora matricial or impresora de matriz de puntos
- Thermal printer: impresora térmica
- Page printer: impresora de página
Understanding these specific terms can be helpful when you are looking to buy a particular type of printer in a Spanish-speaking country or reading product descriptions in Spanish.
“Printer” as a Profession: “Impresor/Impresora”
“Printer” can also refer to a person whose profession is printing, or someone who works in the printing industry. In this context, the Spanish translations are impresor (masculine noun, nm) or impresora (feminine noun, nf).
For instance, “Mark has been working as a printer for twenty years” translates to “Mark ha trabajado como impresor por veinte años.” Here, “impresor” refers to Mark’s profession.
It’s important to distinguish between “impresora” as the device and “impresor/impresora” as the person to avoid confusion. Context will usually make the intended meaning clear.
Other Useful Printer-Related Terms in Spanish
Beyond the basic translations, knowing related terms can further enhance your understanding of printer vocabulary in Spanish:
- Printer tray: bandeja de papel (paper tray)
- Printer-friendly (web page): de versión imprimible (printable version)
- Printer’s devil (printing helper): aprendiz de imprenta (printing apprentice)
These terms are commonly used when discussing printers and their functionalities. Recognizing them will help you navigate instructions, manuals, or conversations about printers in Spanish more effectively.
Conclusion
In summary, “printer” in Spanish can be either impresora (for the device) or impresor/impresora (for the person/profession). By understanding these distinctions and familiarizing yourself with related terms like impresora láser or bandeja de papel, you’ll be well-equipped to handle any printer-related situation in Spanish. Whether you’re dealing with technical specifications or discussing someone’s job, you’ll have the right vocabulary at your fingertips.
