How To Say Password In Spanish

When learning a new language, certain vocabulary words become essential almost immediately, and knowing how to say password in Spanish is undoubtedly one of them. In practice, whether you are setting up a banking app in Madrid, connecting to Wi-Fi at a café in Mexico City, or simply trying to log into a Spanish-language interface, the word contraseña will appear constantly. On the flip side, Spanish is a language rich with regional variations, and relying on a single translation can sometimes lead to confusion. This guide explores the standard term, regional alternatives, essential related vocabulary, and the cultural context you need to figure out digital security in the Spanish-speaking world confidently Practical, not theoretical..

The Standard Translation: Contraseña

The most universal, widely understood, and grammatically correct way to say password in Spanish is contraseña.

• Pronunciation: kohn-trah-SEH-nyah (the ñ sounds like the "ny" in "canyon").
• Grammar: It is a feminine noun (la contraseña).
• Usage: It is accepted in every Spanish-speaking country, from Spain to Argentina, and is the default term used in official software localizations (Microsoft, Google, Apple, banking apps).

Examples in context:

• ¿Cuál es la contraseña del Wi-Fi? (What is the Wi-Fi password?)
• He olvidado mi contraseña. (I have forgotten my password.)
• Por favor, introduzca su contraseña. (Please enter your password.)

If you only memorize one word from this article, make it contraseña. It is your safest bet in any formal or informal situation No workaround needed..

The Major Regional Alternative: Clave

While contraseña is the king of translations, clave is the queen—and in many regions, she rules the roost. Clave literally translates to "key" or "code," but in the context of digital security, it functions exactly like "password."

Where is Clave preferred?

• Spain: Very common, often used interchangeably with contraseña.
• The Caribbean: (Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico) — Clave is arguably more common than contraseña here.
• Parts of South America: Frequently heard in Venezuela, Colombia, and Chile.
• Banking & ATMs: Across the entire Spanish-speaking world, ATMs almost exclusively ask for your clave (specifically clave secreta or clave de acceso) rather than contraseña.

Examples in context:

• Ingrese su clave de 4 dígitos. (Enter your 4-digit PIN/password.)
• Mi clave del banco es distinta a la del correo. (My bank password is different from my email password.)
• Clave secreta / Clave de acceso. (Secret key / Access password — formal terms often seen on login screens.)

Pro Tip: If someone asks for your clave at an ATM or a point-of-sale terminal, they are asking for your PIN. Never confuse this with your full alphanumeric contraseña for online banking The details matter here..

The Anglicism: Password (or Pass)

In the tech world, English dominates. This means many Spanish speakers—especially younger generations, IT professionals, and gamers—simply use the English word password (often pronounced pahs-WORD with a Spanish accent) or the shortened pass Still holds up..

• Usage: "¿Me pasas el password?" (Can you give me the password?)
• Written: You will often see "Password:" as a label on poorly localized websites or in code comments.
• Caution: While universally understood in tech circles, avoid using this in formal writing, official documents, or when speaking with older generations who may not be tech-savvy. Stick to contraseña or clave for clarity and politeness.

Essential Collocations: Verbs That Go With "Password"

Knowing the noun is only half the battle. You need the verbs that typically accompany it to form complete sentences.

You'll probably want to bookmark this section Worth keeping that in mind..

Distinguishing Contraseña, Clave, Código, and PIN

Precision matters in security contexts. While they all protect access, they are not always synonyms.

1. Contraseña (Password): Usually alphanumeric, longer, used for accounts (email, social media, user logins).
2. Clave (Key/Code/Password): Broader term. Can mean a password, an encryption key, or a PIN. Context is king.
3. Código (Code): Usually refers to a temporary verification code (like 2FA/OTP) or an get to pattern.
   • Código de verificación (Verification code).
   • Código de seguridad (Security code / CVV on a card).
4. PIN (PIN): Almost always a 4-to-6 digit numeric code. Used for SIM cards, debit cards, and phone get to screens.
   • Número PIN or simply PIN.

Scenario: You call your bank Worth keeping that in mind. Still holds up..

• Agent: "Por favor, deme su clave telefónica." (Telephone banking password/PIN — usually 4-6 digits).
• Agent: "Ahora necesito el código de verificación que le enviamos por SMS." (The OTP code).
• Agent: "Para la app, use su contraseña habitual." (Your standard alphanumeric login password).

Adjectives for Describing Password Strength

Discussing cybersecurity hygiene requires specific adjectives.

• Segura / Robusta — Secure / Strong / reliable.
• Débil / Fácil / Sencilla — Weak / Easy / Simple.
• Única — Unique (not reused on other sites).
• Alfanumérica — Alphanumeric (letters and numbers).
• Con mayúsculas, minúsculas y símbolos — With uppercase, lowercase, and symbols.
• Predeterminada / Por defecto — Default (e.g., "admin123"). Always change this!

Example: Una contraseña robusta debe tener al menos 12 caracteres, mezclar mayúsculas, minúsculas, números y símbolos, y no debe contener información personal. (A strong password must have at least