Both are 'reloj' in Spanish, but one is fixed in place and the other you wear.
Noun. A fixed timepiece: wall clock, alarm clock, tower clock, kitchen clock. You do not carry it.
The clock on the wall says it is 3 pm.
El reloj de la pared dice que son las 3 pm.
My alarm clock woke me up at 6.
Mi despertador me despertó a las 6.
Big Ben is one of the most famous clocks in the world.
El Big Ben es uno de los relojes más famosos del mundo.
Noun. A timepiece you carry or wear: wristwatch or pocket watch. You wear it on your wrist.
She checked her watch and realized she was late.
Ella miró su reloj y se dio cuenta de que llegaba tarde.
He got a beautiful gold watch for his birthday.
Él recibió un hermoso reloj dorado para su cumpleaños.
I always wear a watch on my left wrist.
Siempre uso reloj en la muñeca izquierda.
Common mistake
Saying "look at your clock" when the person is wearing it. If they wear it, it is a "watch". Only use "clock" for fixed or mounted timepieces.
Trick to remember it
"Clock" = fixed, mounted, on the wall or desk. "Watch" = you wear it on your wrist (wrist + watch = wristwatch). Can you hang it on a wall? Clock. Do you wear it on your wrist? Watch.
Quick rule
Is it fixed somewhere (wall, desk, tower)? Use "clock". Do you wear it on your wrist or carry it in your pocket? Use "watch".
Did you know?
The verb "watch" (to look at) and the noun "watch" (wristwatch) are the same word. Historically, early watches required you to "watch" (observe) them closely to read the time. "O'clock" comes from "of the clock": "at 3 of the clock" shortened to "3 o'clock".
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
There is a _____ on the kitchen wall that shows the time.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
She looked at her _____ and said she had to leave.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Is it fixed somewhere (wall, desk, tower)? Use "clock". Do you wear it on your wrist or carry it in your pocket? Use "watch".
Saying "look at your clock" when the person is wearing it. If they wear it, it is a "watch". Only use "clock" for fixed or mounted timepieces.
"Clock" = fixed, mounted, on the wall or desk. "Watch" = you wear it on your wrist (wrist + watch = wristwatch). Can you hang it on a wall? Clock. Do you wear it on your wrist? Watch.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy