guillotina de papel
/ɡiʝotina de papel/from spelling rules
The English phrase "paper cutter" is translated into Spanish as guillotina de papel.
Guillotina de papel specifically refers to the heavy-duty lever-operated paper cutters used in offices or print shops, rather than small handheld scissors or craft knives.
Meaning: Translations (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term guillotina de papel literally translates to "paper guillotine".
Which one should you use?
Guillotina de papel is used when referring to a paper cutter that operates with a blade sliding on a track, while Cortadora de papel is a formal translation for "paper cutter".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term cizalla de papel might be used to refer to a paper cutter with a lever mechanism.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡiʝotina de papel/
Did you know?
- The word guillotina is named after Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, the French physician who proposed the device as a more humane method of execution.
- In some Spanish-speaking contexts, using the word guillotina can evoke a dark humor or irony because of the tool's association with the French Revolution.
Examples in context
- ¿Dónde puedo encontrar una cortadora de papel?Where can I find a paper cutter?
- ¿Me puedes dejar tu cortapapeles? Tengo que recortar estos volantes.Can you please lend me your paper cutter? I need to trim these flyers.
- Me quedé corto al cortar el papel con el cortapapeles. ¿Me das otra hoja, por favor?I accidentally cut the paper too short with the paper cutter. Can you give me another sheet?
- La guillotina de papel está en el escritorio.The paper cutter is on the desk.
- ¿Puedo usar la guillotina de papel para este proyecto?Can I use the paper cutter for this project?
- Necesitamos comprar una guillotina de papel nueva.We need to buy a new paper cutter.
Example conversation
In an office supply store.
- MateoElena, ¿viste la guillotina de papel?Elena, did you see the paper cutter?
- ElenaNo, Mateo, ¿dónde debería estar?No, Mateo, where should it be?
- MateoCreo que la dejó en la caja.I think he left it in the box.
- ElenaVamos a buscarla entonces.Let's go look for it then.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, guillotina, papel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
