The Spanish word for guitar is "guitarra"

Guitarra is the direct Spanish translation of guitar. It is pronounced "gee-TAR-rah," with the stress on the second syllable. The word works the same way in every Spanish-speaking country — Mexico, Spain, Argentina, Colombia, and everywhere else where Spanish is spoken.

The word is masculine in Spanish, so if you are describing it grammatically, you would say "el guitarra" (the guitar) rather than "la guitarra." In everyday speech, however, people straightforward say "la guitarra" or "mi guitarra" (my guitar) without thinking about the gender rule.

If you hear someone say "toco guitarra" (I play guitar) or "tengo una guitarra" (I have a guitar), you will recognize the word when ready. It sounds almost identical to the English word, which makes it one of the easier Spanish words to remember if you already play or know about guitars.

Key Takeaways

  • The Spanish word for guitar is guitarra, pronounced "gee-TAR-rah" with stress on the second syllable.
  • Guitarra is used the same way across all Spanish-speaking regions and does not change based on location or dialect.
  • You can use guitarra in straightforward sentences like "Toco guitarra" (I play guitar) or "¿Tienes una guitarra?" (Do you have a guitar?).
  • Related words include guitarrista (guitarist), guitarra acústica (acoustic guitar), and guitarra eléctrica (electric guitar).

Related guitar words in Spanish

Once you know the word guitarra, a few related terms become useful. A person who plays guitar is a guitarrista — this word works for any gender. You might hear "Es un guitarrista excelente" (He is an excellent guitarist) or "Ella es una guitarrista" (She is a guitarist).

If you need to specify the type of guitar, you can add a descriptor. An acoustic guitar is "guitarra acústica," and an electric guitar is "guitarra eléctrica." A classical guitar is "guitarra clásica." These phrases work in conversation the same way they do in English — you straightforward put the type before or after the word guitarra.

Other useful words include "cuerda" (string), "trastes" (frets), and "púa" (pick or plectrum). If you are talking about playing guitar, you might say "toco la guitarra" (I play the guitar) or "estoy aprendiendo guitarra" (I am learning guitar).

How to use guitarra in everyday sentences

The word guitarra fits into Spanish sentences just as naturally as it does in English. straightforward present tense is the most common: "Toco guitarra" means "I play guitar," and "¿Tocas guitarra?" means "Do you play guitar?" These are the sentences you will hear most often in casual conversation.

You can also use it with possession: "Mi guitarra es nueva" (My guitar is new) or "¿Dónde está tu guitarra?" (Where is your guitar?). If you are asking someone about their instrument, "¿Qué tipo de guitarra tienes?" (What kind of guitar do you have?) is a natural way to start a conversation.

In past tense, you might say "Toqué guitarra durante diez años" (I played guitar for ten years) or "Compré una guitarra el año pasado" (I bought a guitar last year). The word itself does not change — only the verb changes to show the time.

Pronunciation tips for guitarra

The pronunciation "gee-TAR-rah" is close enough for any Spanish speaker to understand you. The first syllable sounds like the English word "gee," the second syllable rhymes with "car," and the final syllable is a short "rah" sound. The stress always falls on the second syllable, which is why it sounds different from the English "GIT-ar."

The double "r" at the end of guitarra is rolled slightly in Spanish, but if you cannot roll your r's, a regular r sound works fine. Spanish speakers will understand you either way. The most important thing is to stress the second syllable — if you say "GEE-tar-rah" instead of "gee-TAR-rah," it will sound off to a native speaker.

Regional variations and slang

Guitarra is the standard word across all Spanish-speaking regions. You will not encounter regional slang or alternate names for a guitar the way you might with some other objects. Whether you are in Spain, Mexico, Peru, or any other Spanish-speaking country, guitarra is what people call the instrument.

Some regions may use slightly different accents or speeds when they say the word, but the word itself never changes. This consistency makes guitarra one of the easiest Spanish words to use when traveling or speaking with people from different Spanish-speaking backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is guitarra spelled the same in all Spanish-speaking countries?

Yes. Guitarra is spelled and pronounced the same way in Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and every other Spanish-speaking region. There are no regional spelling variations or alternate spellings you need to know.

What is the difference between "toco guitarra" and "toco la guitarra"?

Both are correct. "Toco guitarra" (I play guitar) is more common in everyday speech and means you play the instrument in general. "Toco la guitarra" (I play the guitar) is slightly more formal and emphasizes a specific guitar. Either one works in conversation.

How do you say "I am learning guitar" in Spanish?

You can say "Estoy aprendiendo guitarra" or "Estoy aprendiendo a tocar guitarra" (I am learning to play guitar). The second version is more complete, but both are understood and used in Spanish-speaking countries.

What do you call someone who makes guitars?

A guitar maker is a "luthier" in English, and the Spanish word is "lutier" or "constructor de guitarras" (guitar builder). The word lutier is borrowed from French and used in Spanish-speaking countries that have a strong guitar-making tradition, like Spain.