Inklingo

How to Say "clamp" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pinza

/PEEN-sah//ˈpinθa/

nounA1DIY or construction
Use 'pinza' for a general-purpose clip or clamp, often seen in everyday household or basic DIY tasks, like closing a bag or holding a small item.
A wooden clothespin attached to a simple laundry line.

Examples

Necesito una pinza para cerrar la bolsa de patatas.

I need a clip to close the bag of chips.

Pon las pinzas en la cuerda de tender.

Put the clothespins on the clothesline.

Se puso una pinza azul en el pelo.

She put a blue clip in her hair.

Singular vs. Plural

When talking about a single item like a clothespin, use 'la pinza'. However, just like 'scissors' in English, many people use the plural 'las pinzas' to refer to one tool with two parts.

Clipping vs. Pinning

Mistake: “Using 'alfiler' for a clothespin.”

Correction: Use 'pinza' for things that pinch/squeeze and 'alfiler' for things that poke/pierce (like a safety pin).

sargento

/sar-HEN-toh//saɾˈxento/

nounC1woodworking or metalworking tool
Choose 'sargento' for a heavy-duty clamp used in woodworking or metalworking to firmly hold pieces together while gluing, sawing, or assembling.
A sturdy, metallic F-clamp (or bar clamp) with a red handle, actively holding two planks of wood tightly together.

Examples

Usa un sargento para mantener las dos piezas de madera juntas mientras seca el pegamento.

Use a clamp to hold the two pieces of wood together while the glue dries.

Necesito un sargento más grande para este proyecto de carpintería.

I need a bigger clamp for this carpentry project.

Pinza vs. Sargento

Learners often confuse 'pinza' and 'sargento' because both can mean 'clamp'. Remember that 'pinza' is for lighter, more general tasks, while 'sargento' refers to the larger, more robust clamps used in trades like carpentry or metalworking.

Related Translations

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