percha
/ˈpeɾt͡ʃa/
The English phrase "clothes hanger" is translated into Spanish as percha.
The term percha is used to refer to an individual clothes hanger. Do not confuse this with perchero, which refers to a piece of furniture such as a coat rack or a clothes stand used for hanging items.
Which one should you use?
While percha is the standard term for the object itself, gancho can be used to refer to a clothes hanger in informal contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many parts of Latin America, the word gancho is commonly used instead of percha to refer to a clothes hanger.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of percha is perchas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpeɾtʃa/
Did you know?
- In a fashion context, the phrase tener percha is an idiom meaning that someone looks good in any piece of clothing regardless of the style.
- In certain regions, calling a person a percha can be a double-edged sword: it can mean they have a great physique or, more insultingly, that they are extremely thin and lanky.
- The word percha shares a common ancestor with the English word 'pole', as both stem from the Latin 'pertica' meaning a long pole or staff.
Examples in context
- Puedes colgar tu camisa en el perchero.You can hang your shirt on the clothes hanger.
- No encuentro mi perchita en todo el armario.I can't find my clothes hanger anywhere in the closet.
- Necesito una percha para mi chaqueta.I need a clothes hanger for my jacket.
- La percha es de madera.The clothes hanger is made of wood.
- ¿Dónde dejaste la percha azul?Where did you leave the blue clothes hanger?
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are organizing a closet together.
- Javier¿Dónde están las perchas?Where are the clothes hangers?
- ElenaEstán en la caja, Javier.They are in the box, Javier.
- JavierSolo encuentro una percha aquí.I only find one clothes hanger here.
- ElenaBusca mejor debajo de la ropa.Look better under the clothes.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry percha, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries percha, CC BY-SA 4.0.
