Spanish Phrase
¿Activé la alarma?
Meaning
The speaker is asking whether they themselves turned on the alarm, usually a security system or an alarm clock. The question implies doubt or a need for confirmation after the action was supposedly performed.
When to use
Use this phrase right after you think you have set an alarm and want to double‑check, or when you’re speaking with a roommate, family member, or security guard to confirm that the alarm is indeed on.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Activélaalarma
Preterite of regular -ar verbs
Activé is the first‑person singular preterite of activar; the ending -é marks a completed action in the past.
Definite article agreement
Alarma is a feminine noun, so it takes the article la.
Question marks
Spanish uses opening (¿) and closing (?) question marks; the whole sentence is a yes/no question.
🗨In Conversation
¿Activé la alarma?
Did I activate the alarm?
Sí, está encendida. No te preocupes.
Yes, it’s on. Don’t worry.
✕Common Mistakes
¿Activó la alarma?
Activó is third‑person singular; the speaker should use activé for first‑person.
¿Activé el alarma?
Alarma is feminine, so the article must be la, not el.
Activé la alarma?
Missing the opening question mark makes the sentence look like a statement.
↔Alternatives
¿Puse la alarma?
Did I set the alarm?
¿Encendí la alarma?
Did I turn the alarm on?
¿Activaste la alarma?
Did you activate the alarm?
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries "alarma" can refer to a home‑security system, a fire alarm, or a simple alarm clock. Make sure the context is clear, because the verb activar is more common with security systems, while encender is often used for alarm clocks.