Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| goma de borrar | /ˌɡoma de boˈraɾ/ | Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Southeastern, Venezuela, feminine |
| borrador | /boraˈdoɾ/ |
Both terms refer to an object used to remove something written or drawn. However, note that borrador can also mean a draft or a preliminary version of a text in many contexts.
What does it mean word for word?
borrador is derived from the verb borrar, which means to erase. The phrase goma de borrar literally translates to 'rubber for erasing'.
Which one should you use?
borrador is a masculine noun, while goma de borrar is a feminine phrase. While both mean eraser, their usage varies by location.
Is it said differently in some regions?
goma de borrar is commonly used in Spain and is the preferred term in several Latin American countries, including Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela and Southeastern regions. borrador is used in many different Spanish-speaking regions.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌɡoma de boˈraɾ/
Did you know?
- The word goma is a cognate of the English word 'gum', as both derive from the Ancient Greek word κόμμι.
- Before the invention of rubber, people used pieces of crusty bread as a goma de borrar to remove graphite from paper.
- Because goma is also the word for 'gum', asking for a goma in a non-academic setting might lead someone to think you want something to chew.
Examples in context
- ¿Me prestas tu borrador?May I borrow your eraser?This sentence is useful for asking to borrow a borrador.Tatoeba #7252972 by UsuarioX, translation #268144 by CK
- ¿Me dejas tu goma de borrar?Do you have an eraser I could borrow?This sentence is useful for asking to borrow a goma de borrar.Tatoeba #6692097 by arh, translation #6691869 by CK
- No está permitido usar goma de borrar.You're not allowed to use an eraser.This sentence is useful for stating that using a goma de borrar is not allowed.Tatoeba #9704239 by Shishir, translation #9704274 by DJ_Saidez
- ¿Dónde está la goma de borrar?Where is the eraser?
- Necesito un borradorI need an eraser
- ¿Tienes la goma?Do you have the eraser?
- Pasa el borrador, por favor.Pass the eraser, please.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are studying in a classroom.
- SofíaDaniel, ¿tienes una goma de borrar?Daniel, do you have an eraser?
- DanielSí, aquí tengo una.Yes, I have one here.
- SofíaGracias, necesito corregir este dibujo.Thanks, I need to correct this drawing.
- DanielDe nada, Sofía. Úsala con cuidado.You're welcome, Sofía. Use it carefully.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “eraser” translations and entries goma de borrar, borrador, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries borrador, borrar, de, goma, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
