Device vs Instrument vs Machine vs Tool

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

Device

Top 1000 (muy común)A2noun

Instrument

Top 1000 (muy común)A2noun

Machine

Top 1000 (muy común)A1noun

Tool

Top 1000 (muy común)A2noun
 DeviceInstrumentMachineTool
Pronunciación🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈvaɪs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈvaɪs/"]/🇬🇧 /["/ˈɪnstrəmənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪnstrəmənt/"]/🇬🇧 /["/məˈʃiːn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/məˈʃiːn/"]/🇬🇧 /["/tuːl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tuːl/"]/
SignificadoA tool or machine used for a specific purpose.A tool used to make music or to do specific tasks.A machine is a device that uses energy to do work or perform a task.An object used to help do a job.
EjemploI use a smartphone as my main device for communication.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.
RegistroNeutralNeutralNeutralNeutral
Qué tan comúnTop 1000 (muy común)Top 1000 (muy común)Top 1000 (muy común)Top 1000 (muy común)
Nivel CEFRA2A2A1A2
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 formusical, 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, neglectvandal, 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.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 usoUsed 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.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.Use 'machine' for mechanical devices like cars or computers. Avoid using it for living beings or to describe simple tools.Used in everyday conversation. Appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. In specific fields, tools may refer to software (e.g., design tools).

Preguntas frecuentes: Device vs Instrument vs Machine vs Tool

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

Device: A tool or machine used for a specific purpose. 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.

¿Device, Instrument, Machine y Tool tienen el mismo nivel CEFR?

Device: A2, Instrument: A2, Machine: A1, Tool: A2 en la escala CEFR.

¿Qué categoría gramatical son Device, Instrument, Machine y Tool?

Device: noun, Instrument: noun, Machine: noun, Tool: noun.

¿Puedes mostrar un ejemplo de cada una?

Device: I use a smartphone as my main device for communication. 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, Instrument, Machine y Tool indistintamente?

No siempre. Device, 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.