pinza de la ropa
/pinθa de la ɾopa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "clothes pin" is translated into Spanish as pinza de la ropa.
This phrase refers to a small tool used to fasten laundry to a clothesline to prevent it from blowing away.
Which one should you use?
A common variation of this phrase is pinza para la ropa, which uses the preposition para (for) instead of de (of).
How do you pronounce it?
/pinθa de la ɾopa/
Did you know?
- The word ropa comes from a Gothic root meaning 'to tear' or 'to pluck'.
- The word ropa is used in the phrase ropa sucia, which refers to 'dirty laundry' both literally and metaphorically for family secrets.
- The word ropa is a linguistic relative of the Italian word roba, though in Italian roba can more broadly mean 'stuff' or 'belongings'.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿tiene una pinza para la ropa que pueda prestarme?Excuse me, do you have a clothes pin I could borrow?
- ¿Has visto las pinzas de tender? Las necesito para colgar la ropaHave you seen the clothespins? I need them to hang the clothes.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are hanging laundry in the backyard.
- MateoSofía, ¿tienes una pinza de la ropa?Sofía, do you have a clothes pin?
- SofíaSí, tengo algunas en la canasta.Yes, I have some in the basket.
- MateoPásame una pinza de la ropa, por favor.Pass me a clothes pin, please.
- SofíaAquí tienes, Mateo.Here you go, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, la, pinza, ropa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
