astillas de corteza
/astiʝas de koɾteθa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "bark chips" is translated into Spanish as astillas de corteza.
This phrase refers to small pieces of tree bark used as a ground cover in gardens. While astillas de corteza describes the physical pieces, you may also use mantillo de corteza when referring to the material specifically in its role as bark mulch.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of astillas (chips/splinters) and de corteza (of bark).
Which one should you use?
Astillas de corteza refers to the actual physical chips, whereas mantillo de corteza is used when the material is being used specifically as garden mulch. Additionally, Virutas de corteza is a formal expression that translates to "bark shavings" in English.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form astilla de corteza can be used to refer to a single piece of bark chip.
How do you pronounce it?
/astiʝas de koɾteθa/
Did you know?
- The word astilla can refer to a garden chip, but it is most commonly used to describe a 'splinter' that gets stuck in your skin. Saying you have an astilla usually implies a minor injury rather than a landscaping material.
- While astillas de corteza describes the physical objects, the term mantillo comes from the word manto, meaning 'cloak' or 'mantle'. This frames the mulch as a protective garment for the soil.
- In Spanish, the word corteza is also the common term used for the 'crust' of a loaf of bread. You can use the same word for the outer shell of a tree and the crunchy exterior of a baguette.
Examples in context
- Para este proyecto, necesitamos utilizar virutas de corteza como material de embalaje.For this project, we need to use bark shavings as packaging material.
- Necesito comprar astillas de corteza para el jardín.I need to buy bark chips for the garden.
- Las astillas de corteza cubren muy bien la tierra.The bark chips cover the soil very well.
- Prefiero las astillas de corteza de color oscuro.I prefer dark colored bark chips.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are in a garden center.
- Javier¿Cuántas bolsas de astillas de corteza quieres, Lucía?How many bags of bark chips do you want, Lucía?
- LucíaSolo quiero dos bolsas para mis plantas.I only want two bags for my plants.
- JavierPerfecto, las pondremos en el carrito.Perfect, we will put them in the cart.
- LucíaGracias, Javier, me ayudarás a cargarlas.Thanks, Javier, you will help me carry them.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
