Spanish word

portátil

Pronunciation

IPA/poɾˈtatil/

Meaning

  • masculine nounlaptop

Example

¿Dónde está tu portátil?

Where is your laptop?

Illustration for portátil (laptop)

More examples

¿Puedo usar tu portátil por un momento?

Can I use your laptop for a moment?

Core concept

Compact personal computer meant to be carried.

Common phrases

  • usar el portátil

    use the laptop

  • conectar el portátil

    connect the laptop

  • actualizar el portátil

    update the laptop

Similar words

ordenador portátil: Formal term commonly used in Spain for portable computers.
computadora portátil: Regional term widely used in Latin America for portable computers.
laptop: Informal English loanword used colloquially to mean a portable computer.

Definition in Spanish

Se usa para la computadora portátil que se puede transportar fácilmente y usar en distintos lugares, en contraste con un equipo de sobremesa.

Word origin

Spanish portátil comes from Latin portare 'to carry' and functions as an adjective meaning 'able to be carried', later becoming a noun used for a portable computer.

Usage tips

  • Portátil is also an adjective for any portable object and, like other adjectives ending in -il, it does not change for gender and only adds -es in the plural (portátil, portátiles).

Other meanings

  • portableadjective

Opposites

  • computadora de escritoriodesktop computernoun

Related words

  • portabilidadportabilitynoun

Word lists with this word