aguja
“aguja” means “needle” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
needle
Also: syringe
📝 In Action
Perdí la aguja y ahora no puedo coser el pantalón.
A1I lost the needle and now I can't sew the pants.
La enfermera va a usar una aguja muy pequeña para la inyección.
A2The nurse is going to use a very small needle for the injection.
hand, indicator
Also: needle
📝 In Action
La aguja del reloj se movía muy despacio.
B1The clock hand was moving very slowly.
Si la aguja de la gasolina está en rojo, tienes que repostar.
B1If the gas indicator is in the red, you have to refuel.
pine needle
📝 In Action
El suelo del bosque estaba cubierto de agujas de pino caídas.
B2The forest floor was covered with fallen pine needles.
Las agujas de ese árbol son muy largas y punzantes.
C1The needles of that tree are very long and sharp.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: aguja
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'aguja' to describe something that tells time?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Vulgar Latin term *acūcula*, which was a smaller version (a diminutive) of the Classical Latin word *acus*, meaning 'needle' or 'pin.' The meaning has stayed consistent for centuries.
First recorded: Medieval Latin period
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'aguja' ever mean 'pin'?
It can, but usually only in older contexts or specific regions. For the standard straight pin used to hold fabric, the better and more common word is 'alfiler'.
How do I say 'knitting needle'?
You would use the phrase 'aguja de tejer' (literally 'needle for knitting').