tejer
/teˈxeɾ/
The Spanish word for the activity of knitting is tejer.
tejer is a verb used to express the action of knitting. If you wish to refer to the knitted fabric itself or the craft as a noun, you would use el tejido.
Meaning: activity and process of knitting (noun)
Which one should you use?
tejer is the most common general term used for knitting with needles or hooks. While tricotar is a more specific term sometimes used for knitting with needles, tejer is the most common general term.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb tejer is used to express the action of knitting.
How do you pronounce it?
/teˈxeɾ/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word tejer is a distant relative of the English word 'text'. Both come from a root meaning to weave or intertwine, reflecting how early writing was seen as a woven fabric of words.
- The word tejido can refer to a knitted sweater, but in a medical context, it is the standard word for biological 'tissue' in the body.
- Spanish uses the same verb tejer for both knitting with yarn and weaving on a loom, whereas English uses two distinct words.
Examples in context
- ¿Terminaste de tejer aquel suéter?Have you finished knitting that sweater?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has finished the action of tejer on a specific item.Tatoeba #1731946 by hayastan, translation #68681 by CK
- Me gusta tejer durante mis ratos libresI like to knit during my free time
- estoy tejiendo una bufandaI am knitting a scarf
- Me encanta tejer en mis ratos libres.I love knitting in my free time.
- Ella está aprendiendo a tejer bufandas.She is learning how to knit scarves.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are sitting in a cafe.
- Daniel¿Qué estás haciendo, Lucía?What are you doing, Lucía?
- LucíaEstoy empezando a tejer este gorro.I am starting to knit this hat.
- DanielTe va a quedar muy bonito.It is going to look very pretty.
- LucíaGracias, Daniel, espero que sí.Thanks, Daniel, I hope so.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tejer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tejer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
