Inklingo
← Dictionary

martillo

/mar-TEE-yo/

hammer

A simple, isolated claw hammer with a wooden handle and a metal head, ready for use.

The most common translation of martillo is 'hammer,' a tool used for construction.

martillo(noun)

mA1

hammer

?

tool for driving nails

Also:

mallet

?

a softer hammer, usually wooden or rubber

📝 In Action

Pásame el martillo, por favor. Quiero colgar este cuadro.

A1

Pass me the hammer, please. I want to hang this picture.

El carpintero golpeó la madera con fuerza con su martillo.

A2

The carpenter struck the wood hard with his hammer.

Necesitas un martillo pequeño para trabajar en joyería.

B1

You need a small hammer to work in jewelry.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • mazo (mallet/sledgehammer)

Common Collocations

  • golpear con el martillo – to hit/strike with the hammer
  • cabeza del martillo – hammer head

Idioms & Expressions

  • dar martillazos – to hammer repeatedly/to pound

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun

Remember that 'martillo' is always masculine, so you must use 'el' before it: 'el martillo nuevo' (the new hammer).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Pronunciation of 'll'

Mistake: "Pronouncing 'll' (marti-llo) like the 'l' in 'let'."

Correction: In most Spanish regions, 'll' sounds like the 'y' in 'yes' or the 'j' in 'jump' (mar-TEE-yo). This sound is called 'yeísmo'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Action Verb

The verb derived from this tool is 'martillear,' which means 'to hammer' or 'to pound.' (e.g., 'Está martilleando la pared').

A highly simplified illustration of the malleus bone, also known as the hammer bone, from the human ear.

Martillo also refers to the malleus, the hammer-shaped bone in the middle ear.

martillo(noun)

mB2

malleus

?

anatomy (bone in the ear)

Also:

hammer

?

sports (referring to the equipment used in the hammer throw event)

📝 In Action

El martillo es uno de los tres pequeños huesos del oído medio.

B2

The malleus is one of the three small bones in the middle ear.

El lanzamiento de martillo es una prueba olímpica de atletismo.

C1

The hammer throw is an Olympic athletics event.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • lanzamiento de martillo – hammer throw (sports event)

💡 Grammar Points

Figurative Use

This meaning is related to the main definition because the shape of the ear bone resembles a tiny hammer, showing how Spanish often uses common words for technical concepts.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: martillo

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'martillo' in a specialized, non-tool context?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

martillear(to hammer) - verb
martillazo(hammer blow/hit) - noun
martillero(auctioneer (in some regions)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'martillo' used in any common Spanish idioms?

While less common today, 'estar a martillo y clavo' (to be at hammer and nail) is an old-fashioned way of saying something is 'under construction' or 'being built.' The derived noun 'martillazo' (a blow) is frequently used.

If I want to say 'sledgehammer,' should I still use 'martillo'?

No. While 'martillo' is the general word for hammer, for a large, heavy sledgehammer, Spanish speakers typically use 'mazo' or 'almádena' to distinguish the size and purpose.