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"Tool" is a noun which is often translated as "la herramienta", and "instrument" is a noun which is often translated as "el instrumento". Learn more about the difference between "tool" and "instrument" below.
tool(
tul
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
1. (instrument)
a. la herramienta (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I gave my dad a set of tools for his birthday.Le di a mi papá un juego de herramientas para su cumpleaños.
2. (medicine)
a. el instrumento (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The dentist's tools were on the tray next to me.Los instrumentos del dentista estaban en la bandeja al lado mío.
3. (method)
a. la técnica (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The teacher has many tools for learning the language.La profesora tiene muchas técnicas para aprender el idioma.
4. (slang) (idiot) (United States)
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
Regionalism used in the United States
a. el estúpido (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Ignore him; he's a tool.No le hagas caso; es un estúpido.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
instrument(
ihn
-
struh
-
mihnt
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
1. (music)
a. el instrumento (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
What instrument will you play when you join the school band?¿Qué instrumento vas a tocar cuando te unas a la banda escolar?
2. (tool)
a. el instrumento (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
This machine requires a special instrument in order to turn the valve.Esta máquina requiere un instrumento especial para poder girar la válvula.
3. (means)
a. el instrumento (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
She used you! You were just her instrument.¡Te usó! Fuiste solo su instrumento.
4. (legal)
a. el instrumento (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A passport is a legal instrument that entitles the holder to travel to foreign countries.Un pasaporte es un instrumento jurídico que permite al titular viajar a países extranjeros.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
5. (mechanics)
a. proveer de instrumentos
In the pursuit of automation, everyday items like cars are increasingly instrumented.En la búsqueda de la automatización, objetos cotidianos como el coche están cada vez mejor provistos de instrumentos.
instruments
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
6. (aviation)
a. los instrumentos (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
It's too foggy to see the runway. We'll have to land on instruments. Hay demasiada neblina para ver la pista. Vamos a tener que aterrizar con los instrumentos.
