Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| portaminas | /ˌpoɾtaˈminas/ | masculine |
| lápiz mecánico | /lapiθ mekaniko/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /lapis mekaniko/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| lapicero | /lapiˈθeɾo/ /lapiˈseɾo/ |
masculine |
All three terms refer to a pencil with a retractable lead.
What does it mean word for word?
The word portaminas is a compound of portar, which means to carry and minas, meaning leads or mines.
Which one should you use?
While portaminas is a common term for a mechanical pencil, be aware that lapicero is often used to refer to a ballpoint pen in many Spanish-speaking countries. Lápiz mecánico is a literal translation of 'mechanical pencil' and is understood universally, though it may be less common than regional terms.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The choice of word often depends on your location: portaminas is used in Spain, lápiz mecánico is used in Latin America and lapicero is frequently used in Mexico and parts of Central America to mean a mechanical pencil.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word portaminas is invariable in number. It remains the same in both singular and plural forms.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌpoɾtaˈminas/
Did you know?
- While portaminas describes a tool that carries lead, the word lápida is a 'doublet' of lápiz, meaning they both share the same Latin root for 'stone' but evolved into different meanings.
- The word for a mechanical pencil, portaminas, stays exactly the same whether you are talking about one or many. You would say un portaminas or dos portaminas without adding an 's' to the end.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿me podría prestar un portaminas?Excuse me, could you lend me a mechanical pencil?
- ¿Dónde puedo comprar un lápiz mecánico?Where can I buy a mechanical pencil?
- ¿Alguien tiene un lápiz de minas que me pueda prestar?Does anyone have a lead pencil they could lend me?
- Necesito un portaminas para el examen.I need a mechanical pencil for the exam.
- ¿Tienes un portaminas que me prestes?Do you have a mechanical pencil you can lend me?
- Mi portaminas no tiene mina.My mechanical pencil is out of lead.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are in a classroom studying together.
- SofíaJavier, ¿me prestas tu portaminas?Javier, can you lend me your mechanical pencil?
- JavierSí, pero no tiene la punta muy afilada.Yes, but the tip is not very sharp.
- SofíaNo importa, solo lo necesito para un dibujo.It doesn't matter, I only need it for a drawing.
- JavierToma, aquí tienes el portaminas.Here, here is the mechanical pencil.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mechanical pencil” translations and entries portaminas, lápiz mecánico, lapicero, 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 lapicero, lápiz, mecánico, portaminas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
