Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| palanca | /paˈlanka/ | feminine |
| pie de cabra | /pje de kabɾa/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| pata de cabra | /ˌpata de ˈkabɾa/ | feminine |
| palanqueta | /palanketa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| barreta | /baˈreta/ | feminine |
| diablo | /ˈdjablo/ | feminine |
| diablito | /djaˈblito/ | feminine |
The term refers to an iron or steel bar used as a lever to manually force things apart. While palanca is a common way to name the tool, it also refers more generally to any lever or a gear shift in a car. To describe the action of using a lever or crowbar to move an object, you can use the verbs apalancar or palanquear.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase pie de cabra literally means "goat's foot", and the synonym pata de cabra literally means "goat's leg". These names refer to the shape of the tool's end.
Which one should you use?
The term palanca is the general word for a lever, whereas barreta is often used specifically for a heavy, straight iron bar used for prying or demolition. The terms diablo and diablito are also used as names for this tool.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms provided have different genders: pie de cabra is masculine, while pata de cabra, palanqueta, barreta, palanca, diablo and diablito are feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/paˈlanka/
Did you know?
- The term diablo used for a crowbar literally means 'devil'. In some regions, this refers to the tool's ability to 'devilishly' move heavy objects that seem immovable by hand.
- While pie de cabra uses the word for 'foot', the synonym pata de cabra uses a word that some linguists suggest may be a loanword from the Andalusian Arabic word for 'duck'.
Examples in context
- Tom apretó la garra de la palanca bajo la cabeza del clavo y sacó el clavo.Tom wedged the claw of the crowbar under the nailhead and pulled out the nail.This sentence is useful for illustrating how to use the claw of the palanca to pull a nail.Tatoeba #5845645 by albrusgher, translation #1922104 by CK
- Necesito una palanca para abrir la puerta.I need a crowbar to open the door.
- Necesito una palanca para abrir esta caja.I need a crowbar to open this box.
- La palanca de acero es muy pesada.The steel crowbar is very heavy.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are working in a garage.
- Alejandro¿Puedes pasarme la palanca, por favor?Can you pass me the crowbar, please?
- ElenaSí, aquí tienes la palanca de metal.Yes, here is the metal crowbar.
- AlejandroGracias, esto ayudará a separar las tablas.Thanks, this will help separate the boards.
- ElenaTen cuidado de no lastimarte las manos.Be careful not to hurt your hands.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “crowbar” translations and entries palanca, pie de cabra, pata de cabra, palanqueta, barreta, diablo, diablito, 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 cabra, de, pata, pata de cabra, pie, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
