Spanish for Lamp Rewiring: Asking About a Frayed Cord at a Repair Shop
Learn to describe a lamp's frayed cord and ask a repair technician to replace it, using practical Spanish for a repair shop visit.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When a lamp's cord frays, you need to explain the problem clearly and ask for a fix. In Spanish, you can say 'El cable está pelado' to describe exposed wire, and '¿Puede cambiarlo?' to request a replacement. This lesson teaches you these phrases and how to discuss electrical repairs at a repair shop, so you can communicate confidently without relying on gestures.
By the end, you can…
- describe a frayed or exposed electrical cord in Spanish.
- ask a repair technician to replace a lamp cord.
- answer basic questions about the lamp's condition.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
El cable está pelado.
The cord is frayed (exposed wire).
el KAH-bleh es-TAH peh-LAH-doh
Use this to describe a cord where the insulation is damaged and wires are visible. 'Pelado' literally means 'peeled' or 'bare'.
¿Puede cambiarlo?
Can you replace it?
PWEH-deh kahm-BYAHR-loh
A polite request using 'puede' (you can). The pronoun 'lo' refers to the cord. Use with a technician you address as 'usted'.
La lámpara no enciende.
The lamp doesn't turn on.
lah LAHM-pah-rah noh en-SYEN-deh
Use this to state the main problem. 'Enciende' is from 'encender' (to turn on).
¿Cuánto cuesta la reparación?
How much does the repair cost?
KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tah lah reh-pah-rah-SYOHN
Ask this to get a price estimate. It's direct but polite.
¿Cuándo estará listo?
When will it be ready?
KWAHN-doh es-tah-RAH LEES-toh
Use this to ask about the completion time. 'Listo' means ready.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To describe a problem with an object, use 'El/La + [object] + está + [adjective]'. For example, 'El cable está pelado' (The cord is frayed), 'La lámpara está rota' (The lamp is broken). To ask for a replacement, use '¿Puede cambiarlo?' or '¿Puede cambiarla?' matching the gender of the object. For a cord (el cable), use 'lo'; for a lamp (la lámpara), use 'la'.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you bring a lamp to a repair shop. Start by stating the problem: 'El cable está pelado.' Then ask for the fix: '¿Puede cambiarlo?' If the technician asks for details, you can say 'La lámpara no enciende' or 'Hace chispas' (It sparks). Always use 'usted' with staff unless they invite informal 'tú'.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Buenos días. Traigo esta lámpara porque el cable está pelado.
Good morning. I brought this lamp because the cord is frayed.BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs. TRAH-ee-goh EHS-tah LAHM-pah-rah POOR-kay el KAH-bleh es-TAH peh-LAH-doh.Entiendo. ¿La lámpara enciende o no?
I see. Does the lamp turn on or not?en-TYEN-doh. lah LAHM-pah-rah en-SYEN-deh oh noh?No enciende. ¿Puede cambiarlo?
It doesn't turn on. Can you replace it?noh en-SYEN-deh. PWEH-deh kahm-BYAHR-loh?Sí, puedo cambiarlo. ¿Cuándo lo necesita?
Yes, I can replace it. When do you need it?see, PWEH-doh kahm-BYAHR-loh. KWAHN-doh loh neh-seh-SEE-tah?A little context goes a long way
In many Spanish-speaking regions, repair shops are small, family-run businesses where a friendly tone is appreciated. Using 'usted' shows respect, but if the technician uses 'tú' first, you can switch to informal. In some countries, like Mexico, '¿Me lo puede cambiar?' is common; in Argentina, '¿Me lo podés cambiar?' with 'vos' is used. Always greet before stating your request.
One thing to watch for
Using '¿Puedes cambiarlo?' with a technician you've just met.
Try this instead: Use '¿Puede cambiarlo?' with 'usted' for politeness. If the technician invites informality, you can switch to '¿Puedes cambiarlo?'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'The cord is frayed' in Spanish?
Show a sample answer
El cable está pelado.
This phrase directly describes exposed wire. You could also say 'El cable está dañado' (The cord is damaged), but 'pelado' is more specific.
2Ask the technician to replace the cord using a polite request.
Show a sample answer
¿Puede cambiarlo?
This uses 'puede' (usted) and 'lo' for the cord. If you were asking about a lamp (la lámpara), you'd say '¿Puede cambiarla?'.
3What would you say if the technician asks '¿La lámpara enciende?' and it doesn't?
Show a sample answer
No, no enciende.
This answers negatively. You could also say 'No funciona' (It doesn't work), which is also correct.
Remember to describe the problem with 'El cable está pelado' and ask for a fix with '¿Puede cambiarlo?'. Use 'usted' for politeness and adapt to regional variations like 'vos' in Argentina.
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