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How to Say "plug" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “plug” is “tapón” — use 'tapón' when referring to a stopper or cap that seals an opening, such as for a bottle, sink, or bath.

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tapón

ta-PONtaˈpon

nounA2general
Use 'tapón' when referring to a stopper or cap that seals an opening, such as for a bottle, sink, or bath.
A wooden cork stopper sitting next to a glass bottle.

Examples

No encuentro el tapón de la botella de agua.

I can't find the cap for the water bottle.

Quita el tapón para que salga el agua del fregadero.

Take the plug out so the water can drain from the sink.

La botella de vino tiene un tapón de corcho.

The wine bottle has a cork stopper.

The Disappearing Accent

When you make this word plural (more than one), the accent mark on the 'o' disappears: 'un tapón' becomes 'dos tapones'.

Tapón vs. Tapa

Mistake: “Using 'tapón' for the lid of a cooking pot.”

Correction: Use 'tapa' for lids that sit on top, and 'tapón' for things that fit inside or screw onto a small opening.

macho

MAH-chohˈmatʃo

nounB2technical
Use 'macho' specifically for the male component of an electrical plug that inserts into a socket.
A metal tap tool used for cutting internal screw threads resting on a workbench.

Examples

Necesitamos un macho de métrica 8 para hacer la rosca.

We need an M8 tap to make the thread.

El cable tiene un macho que se conecta a la hembra del enchufe.

The cable has a plug (male connector) that connects to the socket (female connector).

Tapón vs. Macho

Learners often confuse 'tapón' and 'macho'. Remember that 'tapón' is a general stopper or cap, while 'macho' is a technical term for the male part of an electrical connector.

Related Translations

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