Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| abrazadera | /abɾaθaˈdeɾa/ /abɾasaˈdeɾa/ |
feminine |
| mordaza | /moɾˈdaθa/ /moɾˈdasa/ |
|
| sargento | /saɾˈxento/ | masculine |
| pinza | /ˈpinθa/ /ˈpinsa/ |
feminine |
| clamp | /klamp/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| sujetador | /suxetaˈdoɾ/ | masculine |
In Spanish, the term you choose depends heavily on the specific type of tool and the professional context. For a general device that holds things in place, you might use sujetador. If you are performing plumbing or automotive work and referring to a hose clamp or ring-style clamp, use abrazadera. In professional woodworking, specifically when referring to a C-clamp or a bar clamp used to apply pressure, the technical term is sargento.
Which one should you use?
The different forms are specialized: sargento is the technical term for professional woodworking clamps like C-clamps or bar clamps. abrazadera is the standard term for hose clamps or ring-style clamps used in automotive or plumbing contexts. pinza is a very common word for a clamp, but it is also the standard word for pliers or tweezers, so you must rely on context to distinguish them. sujetador serves as a general term for any fastener or holder that keeps something in place. Be cautious with mordaza, as it is more commonly used to mean a gag or a device used to restrain someone rather than a woodworking tool.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun sargento and sujetador are masculine, while abrazadera and pinza are feminine. To describe the action of clamping or holding something firmly in place, you can use the verb sujetar or alternatively fijar and afianzar.
How do you pronounce it?
/abɾaθaˈdeɾa/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using mordaza when you specifically mean a woodworking clamp, as this word typically refers to a gag for a mouth or a restraining device.
Did you know?
- The woodworking term sargento literally translates to 'sergeant', a word that shares the same root as the English 'servant'.
- Because pinza is used for both clamps and tweezers, a Spanish speaker might ask if you need a pinza de ropa to refer specifically to a clothespin.
Examples in context
- Necesito una abrazadera para este proyecto.I need a clamp for this project.
- La abrazadera está demasiado floja.The clamp is too loose.
- Usa la abrazadera para sujetar las tablas.Use the clamp to hold the boards.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are working in a woodworking workshop.
- LucíaJavier, ¿tienes una abrazadera extra?Javier, do you have an extra clamp?
- JavierSí, busca en el estante de herramientas.Yes, look on the tool shelf.
- LucíaGracias, esta abrazadera es perfecta.Thanks, this clamp is perfect.
- JavierAsegúrate de apretarla bien.Make sure you tighten it well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clamp” translations and entries abrazadera, mordaza, sargento, pinza, sujetador, 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 abrazadera, mordaza, pinza, sargento, CC BY-SA 4.0.
