Inklingo

How to Say "puncture" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pinchazo

/peen-CHAH-soh//pinˈt͡ʃaθo/

nounB1general
Use 'pinchazo' specifically when referring to a puncture in a tire or similar inflatable object.
A bicycle wheel on the ground with a large metal nail stuck in the rubber tire.

Examples

El coche no arrancaba por un pinchazo en la rueda delantera.

The car wouldn't start because of a puncture in the front tire.

Llegamos tarde por un pinchazo en la rueda.

We arrived late because of a puncture in the tire.

Tengo un pinchazo en la bici.

I have a flat on my bike.

Tuve que arreglar el pinchazo antes de salir.

I had to fix the puncture before leaving.

Describing the event

You 'have' (tener) or 'suffer' (sufrir) a pinchazo, you don't usually 'do' one unless you are intentionally poking the tire.

Flat Tire

Mistake: “Saying 'mi rueda está plana'.”

Correction: Say 'tengo un pinchazo' or 'la rueda está pinchada'.

perforación

nounB1general
Use 'perforación' for a general small hole made by a sharp object, often in contexts like drilling or medical procedures.

Examples

La perforación del cráneo requirió una intervención quirúrgica delicada.

The puncture of the skull required delicate surgical intervention.

Tire vs. General Hole

The most common mistake is using 'perforación' when you mean a flat tire. Always use 'pinchazo' for a puncture in a tire; 'perforación' is too general and sounds unnatural in that specific context.

Related Translations

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