el ritmo
El ritmo means the beat or rhythm you follow in music or movement. It can also describe the pace of something.
Common Phrases
- seguir el ritmo — to follow the rhythm
- marcar el ritmo — to keep the beat
Example
No puedo seguir el ritmo tan rapido.
I cannot follow the rhythm that fast.
Common Mistake
Mixing it up with melody: say el ritmo for beat, not la melodia when you mean the beat.
el micrófono
El micrófono is the device used to amplify a voice or sound. It is common in concerts, meetings, and recordings.
Common Phrases
- probar el micrófono — to test the microphone
- hablar por el micrófono — to speak into the microphone
Example
Habla mas cerca del micrófono.
Speak closer to the microphone.
Common Mistake
Wrong gender: it is el micrófono, not la micrófono.
el aplauso
El aplauso means applause, the clapping you hear after a performance. It is usually treated as a singular noun in Spanish.
Common Phrases
- un aplauso fuerte — a loud round of applause
- recibir aplauso — to receive applause
Example
El aplauso fue enorme.
The applause was huge.
Common Mistake
Using the plural like English: prefer el aplauso instead of los aplausos for the general idea of applause.
el coro
El coro is a choir, or the group of people singing together. In music, it can also refer to the chorus section of a song.
Common Phrases
- entrar al coro — to join the choir
- cantar en el coro — to sing in the choir
Example
Mi amigo canta en el coro de la escuela.
My friend sings in the school choir.
Common Mistake
Confusing two meanings: el coro can be a choir or a song chorus, so avoid translating it only as choir every time.
la guitarra
La guitarra is a guitar, a common string instrument used in many styles. It is feminine in Spanish.
Common Phrases
- tocar la guitarra — to play the guitar
- cuerdas de la guitarra — guitar strings
Example
Estoy aprendiendo a tocar la guitarra.
I am learning to play the guitar.
Common Mistake
Wrong article: say la guitarra, not el guitarra.
el piano
El piano is the piano, a keyboard instrument. It is common in theaters, schools, and homes.
Common Phrases
- tocar el piano — to play the piano
- el piano suena bien — the piano sounds good
Example
El piano suena raro hoy.
The piano sounds strange today.
Common Mistake
Overusing es for sound: use sonar in phrases like suena bien, not es bueno when talking about sound quality.
el volumen
El volumen is the volume level of sound, like how loud music is. It can also mean volume as size, but music context is very common.
Common Phrases
- subir el volumen — to turn up the volume
- bajar el volumen — to turn down the volume
Example
Baja el volumen, por favor.
Turn down the volume, please.
Common Mistake
Using a direct English verb: say subir el volumen or bajar el volumen, not turnar el volumen.
la letra
La letra means the lyrics of a song, or a letter of the alphabet depending on context. In music, it is the words you sing.
Common Phrases
- aprender la letra — to learn the lyrics
- no entender la letra — to not understand the lyrics
Example
Me encanta la letra de esta cancion.
I love the lyrics of this song.
Common Mistake
Mixing it up with la carta: use la letra for song lyrics, not la carta, which is a letter you mail or a menu.