uña
/ˈuɲa/
In Spanish, the English word "nail" is translated as uña.
If you are referring to the act of accomplishing something successfully, you might use verbs like acertar, atinar or achuntar. If you are referring to the act of using a fastener, use verbs such as clavar, clavetear or sufrir.
Meaning: spike-shaped metal fastener used for joining wood or similar materials (noun)
Which one should you use?
The word uña refers to a fingernail or toenail, whereas clavo is the word for a metal nail used in construction.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈuɲa/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use uña when they mean a metal construction nail, which is actually clavo.
Did you know?
- While clavo is a construction nail, it is also the word used for a 'clove' in cooking, as both share the same spike-like shape.
- The expression no mover una uña is used to describe someone who refuses to help or make even the smallest effort in a situation.
- The word uña comes from the Latin ungula, which originally referred to a small hoof or a claw before evolving to mean a human fingernail.
Examples in context
- Me rompí una uña.I broke a nail.This sentence is useful for describing breaking a uña.Tatoeba #1535494 by marcelostockle, translation #1318534 by CM
- Tengo una uña rota.I have a broken nail.This sentence is useful for describing having a broken uña.Tatoeba #3967935 by gianich73, translation #4724165 by panamicua
- Mary rara vez usa esmalte de uñas.Mary seldom uses nail polish.This sentence is useful for discussing nail polish in relation to the uña.Tatoeba #8006370 by Seael, translation #5850577 by CK
- Necesito algunos clavos para arreglar la mesa.I need some nails to fix the table.
- Me lastimé con un clavo en el pie.I hurt myself with a nail in my foot.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry uña, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries uña, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
