Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pañuelo | /paɲuˈelo/ | masculine |
| moquero | /mokeɾo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| mocador | /mokaˈdoɾ/ | masculine |
Pañuelo is the general term for a cloth used for wiping the face, eyes, nose or hands. Depending on the context and the material, it can also refer to a scarf or a small bandana.
What does it mean word for word?
The word pañuelo is a diminutive form of paño, which means cloth.
Which one should you use?
While pañuelo is the general term, if you want to specifically refer to a pocket square, you should use pañuelo de bolsillo.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For an informal way to say handkerchief, you can use pañuelito. In a much more colloquial and somewhat crude context, specifically when referring to a handkerchief used for blowing one's nose, the term moquero is used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form mocador is also used to refer to a handkerchief.
How does it change in a sentence?
All forms provided, including pañuelo, moquero and mocador, are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/paɲuˈelo/
Did you know?
- In various folk dances across Spain and Latin America, the pañuelo is used as a prop to signal romantic interest or to direct the movement of a partner.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, offering a pañuelo to someone who is crying is a deeply ingrained gesture of empathy and solidarity.
- The word mocador shares a root with the English word 'mucus', as it stems from the Latin mūcus, which refers to nasal secretions.
Examples in context
- Él se sacó el pañuelo.He took out his handkerchief.This sentence shows how to use the word pañuelo.Tatoeba #1332205 by Shishir, translation #292454 by CK
- Se te cayó tu pañuelo.You dropped your handkerchief.Tatoeba #2047535 by marcelostockle, translation #69276 by CK
- Él se sonó con un pañuelo.He blew his nose in a handkerchief.Tatoeba #1004727 by Shishir, translation #292453 by CH
- ¿Podría prestarme un pañuelo, por favor?Could you lend me a handkerchief, please?
- Necesito un pañuelo con urgenciaI urgently need a handkerchief
- Disculpe, ¿podría prestarme un pañuelo para secarme las manos?Excuse me, could you lend me a handkerchief to dry my hands?
- Señorita, ¿tendría un pañuelo que me pueda prestar?Miss, do you have a handkerchief you can lend me?
- ¿Me prestas un pañuelito, por favor?Can you lend me a handkerchief, please?
- Amigo, ¿me prestas un pañuelito? Tengo un resfriado terrible.Friend, can you lend me a handkerchief? I have a terrible cold.
- Por fa, necesito un pañuelito para secarme las lágrimas.Please, I need a handkerchief to wipe away my tears.
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía is crying and Javier offers her something to wipe her eyes.
- Javier¿Quieres mi pañuelo?Do you want my handkerchief?
- SofíaSí, gracias, Javier.Yes, thank you, Javier.
- JavierNo llores más.Don't cry anymore.
- SofíaEs que estoy muy triste.It is just that I am very sad.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “handkerchief” translations and entries pañuelo, mocador, 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 mocador, pañuelo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
