Inklingo

How to Say "refill" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “refill” is “repuesto” — use 'repuesto' when referring to a replacement part or a refill for an item like a car, appliance, or a general container..

English → Spanish

repuesto

reh-PWEHS-toh/reˈpwesto/

nounA2general
Use 'repuesto' when referring to a replacement part or a refill for an item like a car, appliance, or a general container.
A brand new shiny metallic gear sitting alone on a wooden workbench.

Examples

Compré un repuesto para la cafetera.

I bought a refill/replacement part for the coffee maker.

Necesito un repuesto para mi coche.

I need a spare part for my car.

He comprado un repuesto de tinta para la impresora.

I bought an ink refill for the printer.

No tenemos esa pieza de repuesto en el taller ahora mismo.

We don't have that spare part in the shop right now.

Using 'de repuesto'

In Spanish, you often use 'de repuesto' after a noun to mean 'spare.' For example: 'una llave de repuesto' (a spare key).

Refills vs. Parts

Mistake: “Using 'relleno' for a pen refill.”

Correction: Use 'repuesto' for ink cartridges or pen refills; 'relleno' is usually for food filling like a taco or a cake.

mina

MEE-nah/ˈmina/

nounA2general
Use 'mina' specifically for the graphite lead that goes inside a mechanical pencil.
A simple illustration showing several small, cylindrical sticks of black pencil lead (graphite refills).

Examples

Necesito comprar más minas para mi portaminas.

I need to buy more lead for my mechanical pencil.

Se me acabó la mina del portaminas.

I ran out of lead in my mechanical pencil.

Necesitas comprar minas más gruesas para dibujar.

You need to buy thicker leads for drawing.

Lead vs. Pencil

Mistake: “Using 'lápiz' when you mean 'mina'.”

Correction: A 'lápiz' is the whole pencil; the 'mina' is just the graphite inside, often for a mechanical pencil ('portaminas').

Confusing Pencil Lead with General Refills

Learners often mistakenly use 'repuesto' for mechanical pencil lead. Remember that 'mina' is the specific term for pencil lead, while 'repuesto' is for spare parts or refills of other items.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.