hisopo
/iˈsopo/
The English phrase cue tip is translated into Spanish as hisopo.
hisopo refers to a small stick with cotton on both ends used for cleaning ears or applying makeup. Beyond household items, it can also refer to a medical swab or probe used in clinical settings.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term copitos is a colloquial way to refer to cotton swabs in many Latin American countries.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term bastoncillos is commonly used to refer to cue tips. In many Latin American countries, the word copitos is used colloquially.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of hisopo is hisopos.
How do you pronounce it?
/iˈsopo/
Did you know?
- In a Catholic church, an hisopo is not a cotton swab but a ceremonial brush used by priests to sprinkle holy water on the congregation.
- The word bastoncillos, used in Spain, is the diminutive form of bastón, which means 'cane' or 'walking stick'.
- The Spanish word hisopo is a cognate of the English word 'hyssop', which refers to a biblical shrub used for ritual purification.
Examples in context
- ¿Puedes arreglar la punta del taco de mi billar?Can you fix the cue tip of my pool cue?
- Necesito cambiar la borracha de mi taco de billarI need to change the cue tip of my pool cue
- ¿Tienes un hisopo en tu bolso?Do you have a cotton swab in your purse?
- El hisopo tiene mucho algodón.The cotton swab has a lot of cotton.
Example conversation
María is getting ready for a party and asks Mateo for help.
- MaríaMateo, ¿me pasas un hisopo, por favor?Mateo, can you pass me a cotton swab, please?
- MateoClaro, María. Aquí tienes uno.Of course, María. Here is one.
- MaríaGracias, me servirá para arreglar el maquillaje.Thanks, it will help me fix my makeup.
- MateoDe nada, te ves muy bien.You're welcome, you look great.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hisopo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hisopo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
