puntiagudo
/puntjaˈɡudo/
The English word "pointy" can be translated into Spanish as puntiagudo. Wiktionary also lists puntudo.
Meaning: pointed in shape (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| puntiagudo | /puntjaˈɡudo/ |
| puntudo | /puntudo/ (from spelling rules) |
Both puntiagudo and puntudo are used to describe objects that are pointed in shape.
What does it mean word for word?
The word puntiagudo is derived from punta, which means "tip" or "point".
Which one should you use?
Puntiagudo is the standard term for objects that taper to a fine point, such as a pencil tip or a needle. In contrast, puntudo often implies a point that is thicker or less fine than a puntiagudo tip.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, the word must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. For example, use puntiaguda for feminine nouns like punta and use puntiagudos to agree with masculine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/puntjaˈɡudo/
Did you know?
- If you are describing a 'pointed' nose, Spanish speakers typically use the phrase nariz aguileña, meaning 'aquiline' or eagle-like, rather than puntiaguda.
- The word agudo is used to describe the 'acute' accent mark, which is a small, pointy slant placed over vowels in Spanish writing.
- In music, the word agudo refers to high-pitched sounds, linking the auditory sensation of high frequency to the physical concept of a sharp point.
Examples in context
- La torre del castillo tiene una punta puntiaguda.The castle tower has a pointy tip.
- El cuchillo tiene una hoja acerada y puntiaguda.The knife has a steel and pointy blade.
- Me pinché con la rama puntuda del árbol.I pricked myself with the tree's pointy branch.
- ¡Ten cuidado con los cactus pinchudos!Be careful with the prickly cacti!
- El lápiz tiene un extremo muy puntiagudo.The pencil has a very pointy end.
- Ten cuidado con ese objeto puntiagudo.Be careful with that pointy object.
- Las montañas tienen picos puntiagudos.The mountains have pointy peaks.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are looking at a drawing of a landscape.
- Elena¿Te gusta este dibujo de las montañas?Do you like this drawing of the mountains?
- JavierSí, me gusta que el pico sea tan puntiagudo.Yes, I like that the peak is so pointy.
- ElenaJavier, ¿crees que es demasiado realista?Javier, do you think it is too realistic?
- JavierNo, parece una montaña de verdad.No, it looks like a real mountain.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pointy” translations and entries puntiagudo, 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.
