Learn Hardcore Spanish (Latin America): Presiono el botón de encendido para encender la computadora cada mañana. - I press the power button to turn on the computer every morning.

Presiono is the first-person singular (yo) form of the verb presionar in the present tense. Presionar means “to press,” so presiono translates as “I press.”

What does el botón de encendido mean?

El botón de encendido literally means “the button of power-on,” but it’s the standard way to say “the power button.” The de links botón and encendido to indicate the button’s function.

Why use botón de encendido instead of botón para encender?

Botón de encendido is the fixed term for “power button.” While botón para encender (button to turn on) makes sense, it’s less idiomatic. De + noun often names parts or features, whereas para + infinitive emphasizes purpose.

What does para encender la computadora express?

The phrase para + infinitive expresses purpose: “in order to.” So para encender la computadora means “in order to turn on the computer.”

Could I replace encender with prender here?

Yes. In Latin America, prender is a common synonym of encender when talking about electronics. You could say presiono el botón de encendido para prender la computadora with the same meaning.

Why is it la computadora instead of una computadora or no article?

Spanish often uses the definite article (el/la) before body parts, items, and general objects when they’re understood in context. Here, la computadora refers to “the computer” you use every morning.

Why computadora instead of ordenador?

Computadora is the usual term in Latin America, while ordenador is mainly used in Spain. Both mean “computer,” but choose computadora for Latin American Spanish.

What does cada mañana mean? Are there other ways to say “every morning”?

Cada mañana means “each morning” or “every morning.” You can also say todas las mañanas. If you want “every day” you’d say todos los días.