cortaúñas
/koɾtaˈuɲas/
The English phrase 'nail clippers' is cortaúñas in Spanish.
cortaúñas is a noun used to refer to a nail trimmer.
Meaning: nail trimmer (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of the verb cortar (to cut) and uñas (nails), literally meaning 'nail cutter'.
How does it change in a sentence?
cortaúñas is an invariable noun, which means its form does not change between singular and plural. Its grammatical number is instead determined by the article used, such as el cortaúñas or los cortaúñas.
How do you pronounce it?
/koɾtaˈuɲas/
Did you know?
- The word uñas shares an evolutionary root with the English word 'onyx', which refers to a gemstone that looks like a claw or nail.
- The word uñas is also used in Spanish to describe the claws of animals, meaning a cortaúñas could theoretically be used for a pet.
- Spanish uses a 'verb-object' compound structure for many tools, similar to cortaúñas, such as abrelatas for 'can opener' and lavaplatos for 'dishwasher'.
Examples in context
- Olvidaste el cortaúñas en el cuarto de baño.You forgot the nail clippers in the bathroom.This sentence is useful for showing the word cortaúñas in the context of a bathroom.Tatoeba #10736924 by saverius, translation #11316740 by Luornu
- ¿Usas un cortaúñas para cortarte las uñas de los pies?You use nail clippers to cut your toenails?This sentence shows how to use cortaúñas when asking about cutting toenails.Tatoeba #2499859 by Shishir, translation #9354832 by DJ_Saidez
- Me dejé los cortauñas en casa. ¿Tienes pinzas para las uñas?I left my nail clippers at home. Do you have any nail clippers?
- Siempre llevo un cortaúñas en mi bolso.I always carry a nail clipper in my purse.
- Recuerda que necesitas comprar pinzas para cortarte las uñas.Remember that you need to buy nail clippers to cut your nails.
- Necesito un cortaúñas nuevo.I need a new nail clipper.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are in the bathroom looking for a grooming kit.
- Lucía¿Viste dónde está el cortaúñas, Alejandro?Did you see where the nail clipper is, Alejandro?
- AlejandroCreo que está en el cajón.I think it is in the drawer.
- LucíaNo lo encuentro por ningún lado.I can't find it anywhere.
- AlejandroDéjame buscarlo yo.Let me look for it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nail clippers” translations and entries cortaúñas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
