Inklingo
Dictionary

alfiler

al-fee-LEHRal.fiˈleɾ

“alfiler” means “pin” in Spanish (a small sharp piece of metal used for sewing).

pinAlso: straight pin, tie pin

NounmA2
Latin America
A single silver sewing pin with a round red head lying on a white surface.

📝 In Action

Necesito un alfiler para sujetar la tela.

A1

I need a pin to hold the fabric.

Ten cuidado, hay un alfiler en el suelo.

A2

Be careful, there is a pin on the floor.

El sastre marcó el traje con varios alfileres.

B1

The tailor marked the suit with several pins.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • imperdible (safety pin)

Common Collocations

  • alfiler de corbata – tie pin
  • alfiler de gancho – safety pin (common in Latin America)
  • alfiler de cabeza – pin with a head

Idioms & Expressions

  • No caber ni un alfiler – To be extremely crowded or packed; not a single inch of space left.
  • Prendido con alfileres – Something that is very unstable, temporary, or likely to fail/fall apart.

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "alfiler" in Spanish:

pinstraight pintie pin

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: alfiler

Question 1 of 3

What is the difference between an 'alfiler' and an 'aguja'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
alfiletero(pincushion) — Noun
alfilerear(to pin (usually used in sewing)) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes
alquilertallerplacer
📚 Etymology

From the Hispanic Arabic word 'al-jilál', which meant a large needle used for fastening clothes.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: alfinete

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'alfiler' masculine or feminine?

It is masculine: 'el alfiler'. Even though it doesn't end in 'o', most words ending in 'r' follow this rule.

Can I use 'alfiler' for a safety pin?

Yes, but it is clearer to say 'alfiler de gancho' or 'imperdible'. If you just say 'alfiler', people might assume you mean a straight sewing pin.

How do you say 'pincushion' in Spanish?

The most common word is 'alfiletero'.