Spanish word

instrumento

Pronunciation

IPA/instɾuˈmento/

Meaning

  • masculine nouninstrument

Example

¿Qué instrumento tocas?

What instrument do you play?

Illustration for instrumento (instrument)

More examples

Me gustaría aprender a tocar un instrumento de cuerda.

I would like to learn to play a string instrument.

Core concept

Musical apparatus for performing melodies and rhythms.

Common phrases

  • tocar un instrumento

    play an instrument

  • aprender a tocar un instrumento

    learn to play an instrument

  • afinar un instrumento

    tune an instrument

  • instrumento de cuerda

    string instrument

Similar words

guitarra: Stringed instrument that produces chords and melodies when plucked or strummed.
piano: Large keyboard instrument that produces notes when its keys are pressed.
violín: Small bowed string instrument that produces high, singing tones.
batería: Set of drums and percussion that produces rhythms when struck with sticks.

Definition in Spanish

Aparato u objeto que los músicos usan para producir sonidos y ejecutar piezas musicales en interpretación.

Word origin

Instrumento derives from Latin instrumentum meaning 'implement or means', and in Spanish it designates objects used to produce musical sounds.

Usage tips

  • Spanish commonly uses a definite article in phrases with instrumento, as in tocar el piano or tocar la guitarra.

Other meanings

  • toolnoun

Related words

  • instrumentalinstrumentaladjective
  • instrumentistainstrumentalistnoun
  • instrumentacióninstrumentationnoun

Word lists with this word