ferretería
/fereteˈɾia/feminine
The English phrase hardware store is translated into Spanish as ferretería. Wiktionary also lists tlapalería and tienda de bricolaje.
Meaning: merchant (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ferretería | /fereteˈɾia/ | feminine |
| tlapalería | /tlapaleˈɾia/ | Mexico, feminine |
| tienda de bricolaje | /tjenda de bɾikolaxe/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
A hardware store is a merchant.
Which one should you use?
ferretería refers to a traditional hardware store. In contrast, tienda de bricolaje is used for larger home improvement or DIY-focused retail stores.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term tlapalería is commonly used to refer to a hardware store.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of ferretería is ferreterías.
How do you pronounce it?
/fereteˈɾia/
Did you know?
- In Mexico, the word tlapalería for a hardware store actually stems from the Nahuatl word tlapalli, which means 'dye' or 'paint'.
- The suffix '-ería' used in ferretería and tlapalería is a common Spanish way to name a shop based on the specific goods it sells.
- In Mexico, a tlapalería traditionally focuses on paints and small house repairs, while a ferretería is more associated with heavy tools and industrial hardware.
Examples in context
- Eso lo venden en la ferretería.They sell that at a hardware store.This sentence shows how to say something is sold at a ferretería.Tatoeba #2062900 by lazarus1907, translation #2023489 by CK
- Tom fue a la ferretería a comprar otro martillo y unos clavos.Tom went to the hardware store to buy another hammer and some nails.This sentence describes going to the ferretería to purchase specific tools.Tatoeba #1458389 by marcelostockle, translation #1092284 by CK
- Disculpe. ¿Esta es la ferretería?Excuse me. Is this the hardware store?This sentence is useful for asking if a location is indeed the ferretería.Tatoeba #434713 by lukaszpp, translation #434712 by lukaszpp
- Necesito ir a la tienda de ferretería para comprar herramientas.I need to go to the hardware store to buy tools.
- El almacén de ferretería cerca de aquí tiene una gran variedad de productos.The hardware store nearby has a wide variety of products.
- ¿Sabes dónde está la ferretería más cercana?Do you know where the nearest hardware store is?
- Necesito comprar clavos en la tlapalería.I need to buy nails at the hardware store.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are in their living room planning a repair.
- Alejandro¿Sabes dónde está la ferretería más cercana?Do you know where the nearest hardware store is?
- SofíaHay una ferretería muy buena en la siguiente calle.There is a very good hardware store on the next street.
- AlejandroPerfecto, iré a la ferretería ahora mismo.Perfect, I will go to the hardware store right now.
- SofíaNo olvides comprar pintura para la pared.Don't forget to buy paint for the wall.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hardware store” translations and entries ferretería, tlapalería, 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 bricolaje, de, ferretería, tienda, tlapalería, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
