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tornillo

tor-NEE-yoh/toɾˈniʝo/

screw

Also: bolt
NounmA2
General
A single metallic screw with a pointed end and a spiral thread on a clean background.

📝 In Action

Necesito un tornillo para este mueble.

A1

I need a screw for this furniture.

El tornillo está flojo y la puerta hace ruido.

A2

The screw is loose and the door is making noise.

Gira el tornillo hacia la derecha para apretarlo.

B1

Turn the screw to the right to tighten it.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • perno (bolt)
  • rosca (thread)

Antonyms

  • clavo (nail (smooth fastener))

Common Collocations

  • apretar un tornillo – to tighten a screw
  • aflojar un tornillo – to loosen a screw
  • tornillo de estrella – Phillips head screw

Idioms & Expressions

  • faltarle un tornillo a alguien – to have a screw loose (to be a bit crazy)
  • darle una vuelta de tuerca/tornillo – to give something another look or a new twist

vise

NounmB2
A heavy metal bench vise attached to the edge of a wooden table.

📝 In Action

Pon la madera en el tornillo de banco.

B2

Put the wood in the bench vise.

Sujeta la pieza con el tornillo para poder lijarla.

B2

Hold the piece with the vise so you can sand it.

El tornillo de banco es esencial en cualquier taller.

C1

The bench vise is essential in any workshop.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • tornillo de banco – bench vise
  • sujetar en el tornillo – to hold in the vise

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "tornillo" in Spanish:

bolt→screw→vise→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: tornillo

Question 1 of 3

What does the idiom 'Faltarle un tornillo' mean?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
atornillar(to screw in) — Verb
destornillador(screwdriver) — Noun
destornillar(to unscrew) — Verb
tornillería(hardware/set of screws) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the word 'torno' (lathe or winch), which comes from Latin 'tornus' (a turn or circle). The '-illo' ending makes it look like a 'little turn'.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: tornilhoItalian: tornio (related to lathe)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'tornillo' used for a bolt too?

Yes, in everyday conversation, people use 'tornillo' for both screws and bolts. Technically, a bolt is 'un perno', but 'tornillo' is much more common.

What is the difference between 'tornillo' and 'tuerca'?

The 'tornillo' is the long piece with threads (the screw), and the 'tuerca' is the small hexagonal nut that screws onto it.

How do I describe a flat-head vs. a Phillips-head screw?

A Phillips-head is 'tornillo de estrella' (star screw) or 'de cruz' (cross). A flat-head is 'tornillo plano' or 'de pala'.