Say Ok Google in Spanish | Speak To Assistant Like A Local

Use “Ok Google” the same way, then give your request in clear Spanish at a steady pace.

You don’t need a new wake phrase to talk to Google in Spanish. The wake words stay the same. What changes is what you say right after.

This page shows the phrases that work, how to set Spanish on your phone or speaker, and what to do when it hears you wrong. You’ll finish with a small set of commands you can say without thinking.

Say Ok Google in Spanish With The Right Settings

If your device is set to English, it may still catch a Spanish request, but results can be hit-or-miss. A Spanish language setting makes recognition steadier, plus responses sound natural.

Start by checking two things: the Assistant language, and the microphone trigger.

Set Spanish As A Primary Language

On Android, open the Google app, go to Assistant settings, then pick Languages and choose Spanish. Google’s own steps for changing Assistant language are laid out on the Google Assistant language settings page.

If you speak two languages at home, you can add a second language. That lets you mix English and Spanish requests without switching back and forth in menus.

Check The Wake Words And Voice Match

When “Hey Google” or “Ok Google” isn’t waking the device, Spanish commands won’t matter. Re-train Voice Match if the device keeps ignoring you, or if it wakes for someone else across the room.

Google’s steps for tuning Assistant settings, including Voice Match and sensitivity, are in Google Assistant settings on Android.

Use The Built-In Shortcut To Open Settings By Voice

If you prefer not to hunt through menus, you can open Assistant settings by voice on many devices. Google documents that shortcut in Spanish on Acceder al Asistente de Google con la voz.

Once Spanish is selected, your follow-up commands can be fully in Spanish, including app names, contacts, and places.

What To Say After “Ok Google” In Spanish

In Spanish, you’re not translating “Ok Google” into “Vale, Google.” You keep the wake words, then speak the request in Spanish. The cleanest phrasing is plain, common Spanish.

Use the “verb + object” pattern. It’s easy for the microphone to catch, and it sounds normal.

Core Request Patterns That Work Almost Anywhere

• “Pon un temporizador de 10 minutos.” (Set a 10-minute timer.)
• “Pon una alarma a las 7.” (Set an alarm for 7.)
• “Recuérdame comprar leche a las 6.” (Remind me to buy milk at 6.)
• “¿Qué tiempo hace hoy?” (What’s the weather today?)
• “Llama a mamá.” (Call mom.)
• “Envíale un mensaje a Alex: llego en 5.” (Text Alex: I’ll arrive in 5.)

If you want it to react fast, pause for a half beat after the wake words, then speak your Spanish request in one smooth line.

Spanish Pronunciation Tips That Fix Most Mishears

Most recognition issues come from speed and mushy endings, not accent. A couple tweaks help a lot:

• End consonants cleanly. Say “minutos” with the final “s,” and “hoy” with a clear “oy.”
• Keep numbers steady. “Dieciséis” and “diecisiete” blur when rushed. Slow down on the middle syllables.
• Separate names from verbs. In “Llama a Carla,” give “Carla” its own beat.
• Use clear question rhythm. For “¿Qué…?” lift your tone slightly at the start, then drop it.

One more trick: if it keeps thinking you said English, add a Spanish filler word right after the wake words, like “oye,” then your request. It nudges the language detector without changing meaning.

Spanish Commands People Use Daily

Once Spanish is set, you can run the same routines you’d run in English. You just say them in Spanish.

Home And Smart Devices

These are simple, and they teach the Assistant your style fast:

• “Enciende las luces del salón.”
• “Apaga la televisión.”
• “Sube el volumen.”
• “Baja el brillo al 30%.”

If you’ve named devices in English, keep the name as-is. Say “Enciende Kitchen Lights” if that’s the saved device name.

Maps, Calls, And Messages

Spanish phrases for navigation and calling are short and direct:

• “Llévame a casa.”
• “¿Cuánto falta para llegar?”
• “Llama a la clínica.”
• “Manda un WhatsApp a Sara.”

If it picks the wrong contact, add one detail: “Llama a Sara Gómez” or “Manda un mensaje a Sara del trabajo.”

Spanish Phrases That Match Common Assistant Tasks

This table gives a quick set of phrases you can copy, plus what the Assistant is likely to do. Keep the phrasing close, then tweak names, times, and places.

What You Want	Spanish Phrase To Say	What You Should Hear Back
Set a timer	Pon un temporizador de 15 minutos	A 15-minute timer starts
Set an alarm	Pon una alarma a las 6 y media	An alarm for 6:30 is saved
Calendar event	Añade una reunión mañana a las 3	An event is created at 3
Reminder	Recuérdame pagar el alquiler el lunes	A reminder is scheduled
Weather	¿Qué tiempo hará este fin de semana?	A weekend forecast summary
Music	Pon música para cocinar	A playlist or station starts
Directions	Cómo llegar a la estación de tren	Maps opens with directions
Translation	Traduce “good morning” al español	A Spanish translation is spoken

Pick The Right Spanish Variety For Your Accent

Spanish has regional sounds. Your device setting can match the Spanish you speak: Spain, Latin America, or the U.S. Spanish blend. The goal is simple: pick the variant that matches how you say vowels and “s” sounds.

If you use a lot of “vosotros,” Spain Spanish can feel more natural. If you use “ustedes” for groups, Latin American Spanish tends to fit.

Language Codes And Why They Matter

Some Google products label Spanish options with language codes, like es-ES or es-US. Seeing those codes can help you choose the closest match, since “Spanish” might appear in more than one slot.

Google publishes maintained language codes across its speech products in the Cloud Speech-to-Text language list. You don’t need to be a developer to use it; it’s a handy way to confirm which Spanish variants exist.

Why It Sometimes Answers In English Even When You Speak Spanish

This happens a lot in bilingual homes. The Assistant tries to guess which language you’re using. If your first words sound like English, it may stick with English for the reply.

Here are the fixes that work most of the time:

• Start your request with a clear Spanish cue. “Qué,” “pon,” “llama,” “abre,” and “recuérdame” steer it toward Spanish.
• Avoid mixing languages in one sentence. Try “Pon una alarma” instead of “Set a alarma.”
• Check your second language order. If English is listed first, it may bias the reply. Put Spanish first if Spanish is your main use.
• Use the same voice profile. If the home device has multiple voices enrolled, the reply language can wobble.

When The Wake Words Trigger But The Command Fails

If it wakes up and then says it didn’t catch that, treat it like a mic issue, not a Spanish issue. Move closer, face the mic, and try again with a slightly slower pace.

On phones, check that the Google app has microphone permission and that Battery Saver isn’t blocking background listening.

Troubleshooting Checklist For Spanish Voice Commands

Run this list top to bottom. Most problems clear up in a couple minutes.

Symptom	Likely Cause	Fix To Try
Doesn’t wake on “Ok Google”	Wake words off or low sensitivity	Turn on “Hey Google” in Assistant settings; retrain Voice Match
Wakes up, then hears gibberish	Room noise or mic blocked	Move closer; lower TV volume; clean mic ports
Answers in English	English set first or language guess	Put Spanish first; start request with “Qué” or “Pon”
Mishears names	Contact label mismatch	Edit the contact name spelling; try full name in Spanish
Can’t control smart lights	Device name stored in English	Say the saved device name as written; rename devices to Spanish
Maps opens, wrong place picked	Similar place names nearby	Add city or neighborhood; say “en Helsinki” style detail

Practice Routine: Five Minutes To Sound Natural

You don’t need drills. You just need a tiny loop that trains your mouth and the mic. Do this once a day for a week:

1. Say: “Ok Google, pon un temporizador de 1 minuto.”
2. Say: “Ok Google, ¿qué tiempo hace mañana?”
3. Say: “Ok Google, abre YouTube.”
4. Say: “Ok Google, recuérdame llamar a Marta a las 5.”
5. Say: “Ok Google, llévame a casa.”

Listen for one thing each time: did it catch the verb? If the verb lands, the rest usually lands too. If the verb fails, slow down the first two words after the wake phrase.

Common Questions That Come Up While Switching To Spanish

Some details surprise people the first time they flip the language.

Do You Need To Say “Ok Google” In Spanish?

No. The wake words stay “Ok Google” or “Hey Google.” Think of it as knocking on the door. Spanish starts right after the knock.

Will It Read Results And Replies In Spanish?

Most replies switch to Spanish once Spanish is the main language. If you keep English as a second language, you may hear a mix based on what you asked and which services answered.

Can You Use Spanish On A Speaker And English On Your Phone?

Yes. Each device can have its own language setting. If you share a smart speaker with family, choose the mix that matches how people talk in that room.

Final Checklist Before You Rely On It Day To Day

Before you start using Spanish voice commands for timers, directions, and calls, run this quick set of checks:

• Spanish is listed first in Assistant Languages.
• Voice Match is trained for the people who use the device most.
• You have two or three “go-to” verbs you say clearly: “pon,” “abre,” “llama.”
• Your device names match what you say out loud.

Once those are set, speaking Spanish to the Assistant becomes a habit. You’ll stop thinking about phrasing and start treating it like a normal conversation tool.