lapicera
everyday, Argentina
A pen in Argentina is a lapicera or a birome. Bolígrafo is the standard word in other countries and is understood, but it is rarely used here.
Meaning: writing instrument with ink (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| lapicera | everyday, Argentina |
| birome | Argentina, brand origin |
| bolígrafo | standard |
In a shop you might ask ¿Tenés una lapicera? (Do you have a pen?).
Which one should you use?
Birome comes from the name of the inventor of the ballpoint pen, and many Argentines use it for any ballpoint. Lapicera can mean any pen, and a pencil is a lápiz.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both lapicera and birome are feminine: una lapicera, una birome.
Did you know?
- The ballpoint pen was patented by the Hungarian journalist László Bíró, who lived in Argentina, and this is why the pen is called birome there.
Examples in context
- Firmá con birome azul.Sign with a blue pen.
- Se me acabó la tinta.My ink ran out.
Example conversation
Agustina asks her classmate Joel for a pen before an exam in Córdoba.
- AgustinaPerdón, ¿tenés una lapicera?Sorry, do you have a pen?
- JoelSí, tomá esta birome.Yes, take this pen.
- AgustinaGracias, te la devuelvo.Thanks, I will give it back.
