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How to Say "hole" in Spanish

English → Spanish

hoyo

OH-yoh/ˈo.ʝo/

nounA1general
Use 'hoyo' for a general depression or opening, especially a pothole in a road, or for the target area in golf.
A simple, round indentation or pit dug into brown earth.

Examples

El coche cayó en un hoyo profundo.

The car fell into a deep hole.

Tuvimos que esquivar un hoyo enorme en la carretera.

We had to swerve to avoid an enormous hole in the road (pothole).

El perro estaba cavando un hoyo para esconder su hueso.

The dog was digging a hole to hide its bone.

Hay que tapar el hoyo antes de que alguien se caiga.

We must cover the hole before someone falls in.

Gender Check

Even though 'hoyo' ends in -o, remember it is a masculine word, so use 'el' (el hoyo) and masculine adjectives (un hoyo grande).

Hoyo vs. Agujero

Mistake: “Using 'hoyo' for a small hole, like a puncture.”

Correction: Use 'agujero' for small holes (like in paper or clothes). 'Hoyo' is typically reserved for holes in the ground or large depressions.

agujero

ah-goo-HEH-roh/a.ɣuˈxe.ɾo/

nounA2general
Use 'agujero' for a physical opening or gap in a surface like a wall or fabric.
A circular hole punched through a piece of smooth brown wooden surface, showing darkness inside.

Examples

Se hizo un agujero en el calcetín.

A hole appeared in the sock.

Hay un agujero enorme en la pared del sótano.

There is an enormous hole in the basement wall.

Necesito coser el agujero de mi calcetín antes de ponérmelo.

I need to sew the hole in my sock before putting it on.

Tuvimos que tapar el agujero para que no entraran los insectos.

We had to cover the opening so the insects wouldn't come in.

Masculine Noun

Even though 'agujero' ends in '-o', it follows the common rule that things (nouns) are male (masculine) in Spanish, so you always use 'el' or 'un' with it.

Confusing 'Agujero' and 'Hoyo'

Mistake: “Using 'agujero' when referring specifically to a deep, large hole in the ground.”

Correction: 'Hoyo' is usually better for pits or holes dug in the earth. 'Agujero' is generally used for holes *through* something (a wall, paper, cloth).

hueco

WAY-kohˈw̝e.ko

nounA2general
Use 'hueco' for a physical opening or gap, often implying a hollow space, similar to 'agujero' but can also mean empty.
A small, dark, circular opening in a brown dirt surface.

Examples

Hay un hueco en el techo que necesita reparación.

There is a hole in the ceiling that needs repair.

Tapa ese hueco en la pared antes de que entre agua.

Cover that hole in the wall before water gets in.

Dejó un gran hueco en su corazón cuando se fue.

He left a big void (or hole) in her heart when he left.

Gender Agreement

As a masculine noun, 'hueco' uses masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., 'el hueco', 'un hueco grande').

ojo

OH-hoh/ˈoxo/

nounB2general
Use 'ojo' specifically for small, defined openings like the eye of a needle or a buttonhole.
A simple illustration showing a small, dark, circular hole drilled into a smooth wooden surface.

Examples

No podía ver por el ojo de la cerradura.

I couldn't see through the keyhole.

Es muy difícil meter el hilo por el ojo de la aguja.

It is very difficult to put the thread through the eye of the needle.

El ojo de la cerradura estaba cubierto de polvo.

The keyhole was covered in dust.

Figurative Use

This meaning extends the concept of the 'eye' as a small, central viewing point or passage, such as in tools or mechanisms.

Agujero vs. Hoyo

Learners often confuse 'agujero' and 'hoyo'. Remember that 'hoyo' is commonly used for potholes or depressions in the ground, while 'agujero' is more general for any physical opening or gap in a surface.

Related Translations

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