cinta americana
everyday, Spain
There is no one word for duct tape in Spanish. In Spain it is cinta americana and in Mexico it is commonly cinta canela. Cinta adhesiva is a general word for adhesive tape.
Meaning: strong cloth tape (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| cinta americana | everyday, Spain |
| cinta canela | everyday, Mexico |
| cinta adhesiva | general |
At a hardware store in Spain ask for cinta americana. In Mexico ask for cinta canela, which is the brown or silver cloth tape.
Which one should you use?
Cinta adhesiva can mean any sticky tape, including thin office tape, so it is less exact than the two names above.
Is it said differently in some regions?
If a seller does not know your word, point to the tape or say la cinta gris de tela, the gray cloth tape.
Did you know?
- The name cinta canela refers to the cinnamon-brown color of the tape sold in Mexico.
Examples in context
- Necesito cinta americana para arreglar esto.I need duct tape to fix this.
- Pegué la caja con cinta canela.I sealed the box with duct tape.
- ¿Tiene cinta adhesiva?Do you have adhesive tape?
Example conversation
Raúl asks the clerk Inés in a hardware store for tape to fix a pipe cover.
- RaúlBuenas, ¿tiene cinta americana?Hello, do you have duct tape?
- InésSí, en el pasillo tres.Yes, in aisle three.
- RaúlGracias, la necesito para una tubería.Thanks, I need it for a pipe.
