copiar y pegar
/kopjaɾ i peɡaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "copy and paste" is translated into Spanish as copiar y pegar.
The phrase copiar y pegar is used as a verb phrase to describe the digital action of duplicating data.
What does it mean word for word?
This phrase is a literal combination of the infinitive verbs copiar (to copy) and pegar (to paste/to stick).
How do you pronounce it?
/kopjaɾ i peɡaɾ/
Did you know?
- While copiar y pegar is the standard digital term, in some contexts, if you use pegar to mean 'to hit' or 'to strike', you might cause a momentary confusion between a computer command and physical violence.
- The word copiar is used in Spanish classrooms to mean 'to cheat' on a test, rather than just duplicating a text.
- The word pegar shares a common ancestor with the English word 'pitch', as both stems relate to the action of applying a sticky substance like resin or bitumen.
Examples in context
- Mi frase mal hecha debe ser el mortinato de un copiar y pegar abortado.My botched sentence must be the stillborn child of an aborted copy and paste.This sentence uses the phrase copiar y pegar to describe a failed attempt at a task.Tatoeba #9767511 by Eremon, translation #1738662 by belgavox
- Debes copiar y pegar el texto en el documento.You must copy and paste the text into the document.
- Puedes copiar y pegar ese texto en el documento.You can copy and paste that text into the document.
- Solo tienes que copiar y pegar la dirección web.You just have to copy and paste the web address.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are working together on a school presentation.
- Mateo¿Me pasas la información de la página?Can you send me the information from the page?
- LucíaClaro, solo voy a copiar y pegar los datos.Sure, I am just going to copy and paste the data.
- MateoGracias, Lucía, así terminamos más rápido.Thanks, Lucía, that way we finish faster.
- LucíaDe nada, Mateo, ya casi está listo.You're welcome, Mateo, it's almost ready.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries copiar, pegar, y, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
