Does the notion of "Technical Tools" translate?

Question

In the English-speaking uber geek computer technical community, it is not uncommon to hear people refer to software applications, or specific features within those applications, as tools.

For example: "Copy and paste is a handy tool", or "That browser is one of the best tools on the market", or "I downloaded a cool tool this afternoon..."

I am trying to translate a few such quotes to Spanish, and wonder if I wouldn't be better advised to use words like technique, application, and feature to best capture the spirit of the phrase.

Or does the Hispanic technical community also describe software and software features as herramientas?

yes! use 'herramientas' with absolute certainty!! ;) but we would say 'programa' if you say that you downloaded/bought a tool/software for your computer and 'aplicación' for tablets and mobile phones - Pablo064, Jun 5, 2015

Mil gracias, Tiempo. ;) - jrschenk, Jun 6, 2015

Answer 1

Hello Jrschenk,

You asked:

In the English-speaking uber geek computer technical community, it is not uncommon to hear people refer to software applications, or specific features within those applications, as tools.For example: "Copy and paste is a handy tool", or "That browser is one of the best tools on the market", or "I downloaded a cool tool this afternoon..." I am trying to translate a few such quotes to Spanish, and wonder if I wouldn't be better advised to use words like technique, application, and feature to best capture the spirit of the phrase. Or does the Hispanic technical community also describe software and software features as herramientas?

Very interesting questions

I think that you could describe them as: herramientas técnicas = technical tools.

or herramientas técnicas de ordenador = computer technical tools.

Copy and paste is a handy tool. = 'Copiar y pegar' es una herramienta muy útil (o muy práctica)

I downloaded a cool (great) tool this afternoon = He descargado una herramienta técnica estupenda esta tarde.

The word 'cool' can mean various things in different contexts, (great/wonderful, trendy. or popular) so If you meant a 'trendy' (fashionable) tool I think you would need to say:

He descargado (o descargué) una herramienta técnica de la onda (o popular) esta tarde.

This browser is one of the best on the market. = Este navegador es uno de los mejores en venta /disponible.

I am not a native speaker so you may wish to wait to see what the natives say:

I hope this helps

Corrijan mi español si es necesario, por favor

Wow. I wasn't expecting anyone to translate my example sentences, just trying to give you a feel for the terminology, but thank you so much! - jrschenk, Jun 5, 2015

You are welcome, Jr. :) I am not 100 % certain of all my translations so please for confirmation from a Spanish native/natives before using them. - FELIZ77, Jun 5, 2015

Answer 2

Feliz gave you an excellent answer. Here in Baja computer stuff is referred to as Programas or Apps or Juegos.

Thank you, very much, Gringo..I hope that the Spanish natives agree lol :) - FELIZ77, Jun 5, 2015

Well I live with a bunch of them and they call them programas y apps. But they also say googleplay and iStore. So maybe too much English influence here in Baja. - gringojrf, Jun 5, 2015

Where I live we use a lot of English for technical stuff. We need Txustaboy now, he is a professional technical writer. But I do agree with "herramientas." - Daniela2041, Jun 5, 2015

Gracias a todos. - jrschenk, Jun 6, 2015

Yes, programas o apps/aplicaciones sounds right to me...I think that it depends on what kind of tools they are ! - FELIZ77, Jun 6, 2015

Answer 3

Sí, yo usaría herramientas.

With you, Daniela, and Tiempo all affirming this, I am pretty comfortable. Thanks. - jrschenk, Jun 6, 2015

Answer 4

For the second time in a couple of days, I reference the Microsoft Language Portal. Here is how Microsoft's highly-paid translators have translated the English word tools for some applications:
- remote tools = herramientas remotas
- reference tools = herramientas de referencia
- webmaster tools = herramientas de administrador web
So I think you'd be pretty safe using herramientas.

Gracias por su ayuda. - jrschenk, Jun 6, 2015