desatascador
/desataskaˈdoɾ/masculine
The English word 'plunger' can be translated into Spanish as desatascador. Wiktionary also lists destapacaños and destupidor.
Meaning: device for removing blockages by suction (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| desatascador | /desataskaˈdoɾ/ | masculine |
| destapacaños | /desˌtapaˈkaɲos/ | Mexico, masculine |
| destupidor | /destupidoɾ/ (from spelling rules) | Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, masculine |
| chupón | /t͡ʃuˈpon/ | Venezuela, masculine |
| sopapa | /soˈpapa/ | Argentina, Chile, feminine |
| desatorador | /desatoɾadoɾ/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| sopapo | /soˈpapo/ | masculine |
A plunger is a device for removing blockages by suction.
Which one should you use?
You should be careful not to confuse the feminine noun sopapa (plunger) with the masculine noun sopapo, which refers to a slap or a blow.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Different Spanish-speaking regions use specific terms for this device: • In Mexico, destapacaños is commonly used. • In Argentina and Chile, the feminine form sopapa is used. • In Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, destupidor is used. • In Venezuela, chupón is the term used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The majority of the forms are masculine nouns, with the exception of sopapa, which is feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/desataskaˈdoɾ/
Did you know?
- In Venezuela, the word chupón is used for a plunger, but it is also the common word for a baby's pacifier.
- In some regions, chupón comes from the verb chupar, which means 'to suck', highlighting the suction mechanism of the device.
Examples in context
- ¿Puede traerme un desatascador, por favor?Could you bring me a plunger, please?
- Necesito un desatrancador para arreglar el inodoro.I need a plunger to fix the toilet.
- Oye, ¿tienes un desatascador de baño? La tubería está obstruida.Hey, do you have a bathroom plunger? The pipe is clogged.
- Necesito un desatascador para el lavabo.I need a plunger for the sink.
- ¿Dónde guardas el desatascador?Where do you keep the plunger?
- El desatascador está debajo del fregadero.The plunger is under the kitchen sink.
Example conversation
A couple is dealing with a clogged sink in their kitchen.
- AlejandroLucía, el fregadero está obstruido.Lucía, the sink is clogged.
- LucíaBusca el desatascador en el armario.Look for the plunger in the cupboard.
- AlejandroLo encontré, está junto a la escoba.I found it, it is next to the broom.
- LucíaPerfecto, úsalo para arreglarlo.Perfect, use it to fix it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “plunger” translations and entries desatascador, destapacaños, destupidor, chupón, sopapa, sopapo, 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 chupón, desatascador, destapacaños, CC BY-SA 4.0.
