martillo
neutral
A hammer is a martillo in Mexico, the same as in other Spanish-speaking countries. The verb is martillar.
At a hardware store, which is a ferretería, ask for un martillo. A rubber mallet is a mazo de goma.
Meaning: tool for hitting nails (noun)
Which one should you use?
There is no separate Mexican word for the tool. Differences appear in sizes, such as martillo de uña for a claw hammer.
How do you pronounce it?
The double ll is pronounced like a y in most of Mexico: mar-TEE-yoh.
Did you know?
- A martillo de uña has a curved claw on the back for pulling out nails.
Examples in context
- Pásame el martillo.Pass me the hammer.
- Necesito clavos y un martillo.I need nails and a hammer.
- Martilla con cuidado.Hammer carefully.
Example conversation
Julián and his uncle Tomás hang a shelf in a house in León.
- JuliánTío, ¿dónde está el martillo?Uncle, where is the hammer?
- TomásEn la caja de herramientas.In the toolbox.
- JuliánYa lo encontré.I found it.
