Inklingo
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hilo

EE-loh/ˈilo/

thread, yarn

Also: string
NounmA1
A large spool of vibrant red sewing thread with a silver needle threaded through it, ready for use.

📝 In Action

Necesito un carrete de hilo blanco para coser esta falda.

A1

I need a spool of white thread to sew this skirt.

El gato jugó con el hilo hasta que lo rompió.

A2

The cat played with the yarn until it broke it.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • hilo dental – dental floss
  • hilo de seda – silk thread

wire, filament

NounmB1
A thick, coiled copper electrical wire, partially stripped to show the metallic conductor inside.

📝 In Action

Hay que cambiar el hilo de la bombilla, está fundido.

B1

We have to change the light bulb's filament, it's burned out.

El electricista cortó el hilo rojo para arreglar el circuito.

B2

The electrician cut the red wire to fix the circuit.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • hilo conductor – conducting wire (also figurative: main theme)

thread, line

Also: theme
NounmB2
Two friendly characters facing each other and talking, visually connected by a single, continuous, brightly colored thread flowing between them, symbolizing the continuity of their dialogue.

📝 In Action

Perdí el hilo de la conversación cuando sonó mi teléfono.

B2

I lost the thread of the conversation when my phone rang.

El hilo de la novela es muy complicado, con muchos giros.

C1

The plot line of the novel is very complicated, with many twists.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Idioms & Expressions

  • Perder el hilo – To lose track of the topic or sequence.
  • Seguir el hilo – To follow the sequence or maintain the topic.
  • Retomar el hilo – To return to the previous topic.

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "hilo" in Spanish:

filament→line→string→theme→thread→wire→yarn→

🗣️ Practice in a Tongue Twister

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: hilo

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'hilo' in its common figurative sense?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
hilar(to spin (thread)) — Verb
hilera(row, line) — Noun
hilado(spun, yarn (noun)) — Adjective / Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word *filum*, which meant 'thread' or 'line'. This explains why the Spanish word 'hilo' kept the core meaning of a thin, continuous connection.

First recorded: Before 1000 AD

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: fioItalian: filoFrench: fil

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I say 'fishing line'?

While 'hilo' can sometimes work for a very fine line, the most common and precise term for 'fishing line' is 'sedal' or 'línea de pesca'.

Does 'hilo' refer to a social media 'thread'?

Yes! In modern digital communication, 'hilo' is the direct equivalent of a Twitter or forum 'thread' (a sequence of related messages).