Device vs Gadget vs Instrument vs Machine vs Tool

Cuándo usar cada una en inglés, con significado, registro y ejemplos.

Device

Top 1000 (muy común)A2noun

Gadget

Top 2000 (común)

Instrument

Top 1000 (muy común)A2noun

Machine

Top 1000 (muy común)A1noun

Tool

Top 1000 (muy común)A2noun
 DeviceGadgetInstrumentMachineTool
Pronunciación🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈvaɪs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈvaɪs/"]/🇬🇧 //ˈɡædʒ.ɪt//🇺🇸 //ˈɡædʒ.ɪt//🇬🇧 /["/ˈɪnstrəmənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪnstrəmənt/"]/🇬🇧 /["/məˈʃiːn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/məˈʃiːn/"]/🇬🇧 /["/tuːl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tuːl/"]/
SignificadoUna herramienta o máquina utilizada para un propósito específico.A tool or machine used for a specific purpose.A small tool or device with a specific use.Una herramienta utilizada para hacer música o realizar tareas específicas.A tool used to make music or to do specific tasks.Una máquina es un dispositivo que utiliza energía para realizar un trabajo o llevar a cabo una tarea.A machine is a device that uses energy to do work or perform a task.Un objeto que se usa para ayudar a hacer un trabajo.An object used to help do a job.
EjemploI use a smartphone as my main device for communication.She loves her new kitchen gadget for making smoothies.She plays a musical instrument in the school band.The machine was broken, so we couldn't finish our work.I need a hammer as a tool to fix the door.
RegistroNeutralNeutralNeutralNeutralNeutral
Qué tan comúnTop 1000 (muy común)Top 2000 (común)Top 1000 (muy común)Top 1000 (muy común)Top 1000 (muy común)
Nivel CEFRA2-A2A1A2
Categoría gramaticalnounnounnounnoun
Colocacionesclever, ingenious, labour-saving/​labor-saving, be fitted with, have, connect, comprise something, consist of something, be designed to, device for, clever, ingenious, labour-saving/​labor-saving, be fitted with, have, connect, comprise something, consist of something, be designed to, device forlatest gadget, use a gadget, smart gadget, handheld gadget, kitchen gadgetmusical, beautiful, fine, play, learn, learn to play, sound, maker, on an/​the instrument, precision, sensitive, sophisticated, set, use, check, read, measure something, check, maker, panel, an instrument of torture, precision, sensitive, sophisticated, set, use, check, read, measure something, check, maker, panel, an instrument of torture, chief, key, main, regard somebody/​something as, see somebody/​something as, view somebody/​something as, instrument for, instrument ofgiant, great, huge, operate, run, use, go, work, break down, operator, parts, tool, by machine, in a/​the machine, on a/​the machine, a make of machine, party, political, marketing, politician, politics, a cog in the machine, a well-oiled machinegeneral-purpose, multi-purpose, basic, set, use, sharpen, down tools, new, effective, essential, become, develop, provide, the tools of the/​somebody’s trade
Antónimosdisuse, neglecttraditional device, old-fashioned toolvandal, destroyerhuman, organismhindrance, obstacle
Errores comunesConfused with 'devise', which means to create or plan something., Using 'device' as a verb; it is only a noun., Assuming all devices are electronic; can refer to any tool.Confusing 'gadget' with 'gizmo' - they can be similar but not always interchangeable., Using 'gadget' in a plural form incorrectly, such as 'gadgetes'., Overusing 'gadget' for non-electronic tools, which might not be suitable.Confused with 'utensil' – utensils are only for cooking., Using 'instrument' only for musical devices, not recognizing broader meanings., Mixing it up with 'appliance' which refers to electrical devices.Confusing 'machine' with 'mechanism'—a mechanism is a part of a machine., Using 'machine' to refer to non-mechanical items like software., Overgeneralizing 'machine' to include tools that don't use power.Confused with 'instruments' - not all tools are instruments., Overusing 'tool' in informal contexts - can sound childish., Using 'tools' unnecessarily in singular - 'tool' is often more applicable.
Notas de usoSe usa para referirse a gadgets o instrumentos, a menudo en tecnología. Más común en contextos tecnológicos. Evitar en situaciones muy informales donde se pueden usar términos más simples (como 'cosa').Used to refer to gadgets or instruments, often in technology. More common in tech contexts. Avoid in very casual settings where simpler terms (like 'thing') might be used.Commonly used to refer to small electronic devices, often informal. Can be used in tech conversations or when discussing inventions.Usa 'instrumento' en contextos formales o educativos al referirte a herramientas para la música o la ciencia. Es menos común en conversaciones informales a menos que se hable de música.Use 'instrument' in formal or educational contexts when referring to tools for music or science. It's less common in informal conversations unless talking about music.Usa 'máquina' para dispositivos mecánicos como coches o computadoras. Evita usarlo para seres vivos o para describir herramientas simples.Use 'machine' for mechanical devices like cars or computers. Avoid using it for living beings or to describe simple tools.Se usa en conversaciones cotidianas. Apropiado tanto en contextos informales como formales. En campos específicos, las herramientas pueden referirse a software (por ejemplo, herramientas de diseño).Used in everyday conversation. Appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. In specific fields, tools may refer to software (e.g., design tools).

Míralo en clips reales

Device
Gadget
Instrument
Machine

Preguntas frecuentes: Device vs Gadget vs Instrument vs Machine vs Tool

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre Device, Gadget, Instrument, Machine y Tool?

Device: A tool or machine used for a specific purpose. Gadget: A small tool or device with a specific use. Instrument: A tool used to make music or to do specific tasks. Machine: A machine is a device that uses energy to do work or perform a task. Tool: An object used to help do a job.

¿Puedes mostrar un ejemplo de cada una?

Device: I use a smartphone as my main device for communication. Gadget: She loves her new kitchen gadget for making smoothies. Instrument: She plays a musical instrument in the school band. Machine: The machine was broken, so we couldn't finish our work. Tool: I need a hammer as a tool to fix the door.

¿Puedo usar Device, Gadget, Instrument, Machine y Tool indistintamente?

No siempre. Device, Gadget, Instrument, Machine y Tool están relacionadas y a veces se solapan, pero difieren en registro, frecuencia y uso, así que cambiar una por otra puede alterar el significado o el tono. Revisa las diferencias de arriba antes de sustituir.