Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| agujero | /aɡuˈxeɾo/ | masculine |
| hueco | /ˈw̝eko/ | masculine |
| abertura | /abeɾˈtuɾa/ | feminine |
| horado | /oˈɾado/ | masculine |
| forado | /foɾado/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| tronera | /tɾoˈneɾa/ | feminine |
| buhedera | /bwedeɾa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
This can refer to a hole that is dug into something or one that passes through an object. In an astronomical context, agujero negro is the standard term for a black hole.
Which one should you use?
While agujero refers to a hole that goes through or is dug into something, hueco often refers to a hollow space or a gap within an object. Abertura is used when emphasizing the act of an opening or a slit, often in a more technical or structural sense than agujero. Other specific terms include horado, forado, tronera and buhedera.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term socavón is often used to describe a large hole, particularly in the context of roads or construction. In certain Latin American countries, particularly Mexico, perforación may be used to refer to a hole created intentionally or for decorative purposes.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of agujero is agujeros and the plural of abertura is aberturas. Both agujero and hueco are masculine nouns, while abertura and tronera are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/aɡuˈxeɾo/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Él cavó un agujero.He dug a hole.This sentence shows how to use agujero when talking about digging.Tatoeba #2606540 by marcelostockle, translation #295871 by CK
- Es un agujero negro.It is a black hole.This sentence shows the use of agujero in the astronomical term for a black hole.Tatoeba #1992883 by marcelostockle, translation #1479375 by AsliAbbasi
- Están cavando un agujero.They're digging a hole.This sentence demonstrates the continuous action of digging an agujero.Tatoeba #1797013 by Shishir, translation #452264 by CK
- Tengo un agujero en mi calcetín.I have a hole in my sock.
- El carpintero hizo un agujero en la puerta.The carpenter made a hole in the door.
- La pelota cayó en un hueco.The ball fell into a hole.
- Hay un hueco en la pared.There's a hole in the wall.
- El médico le realizó un estudio de los orificios nasales.The doctor performed a study of the nasal passages.
- Este equipo permite perforar orificios precisos en el metal.This tool allows for precise hole drilling in metal.
- Mira, hay un huequito en este árbol para esconderse.Look, there's a little hole in this tree to hide.
- Tengo un huequito en el diente.I have a small hole in my tooth.
- Voy a hacer una perforación en la pared para colgar un cuadro.I'm going to make a hole in the wall to hang a painting.
- El socavón en la carretera produjo un embotellamiento.The pothole in the road caused a traffic jam.
- El edificio se derrumbó y dejó un enorme socavón.The building collapsed and left a huge crater.
- 54 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are checking a wall in their new house.
- JavierHay un agujero en la pared.There is a hole in the wall.
- ElenaEs un agujero muy pequeño.It is a very small hole.
- JavierDebemos tapar ese agujero pronto.We must cover that hole soon.
- ElenaTengo la pintura para arreglarlo.I have the paint to fix it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hole” translations and entries agujero, hueco, abertura, horado, tronera, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abertura, agujero, horado, hueco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
