tecla de almohadilla
/tekla de almoadiʝa/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'pound key' is translated into Spanish as tecla de almohadilla.
This phrase refers to the button on a telephone keypad marked with the # symbol. When you are following automated phone instructions, you will often hear the command presione la tecla de almohadilla to mean 'press the pound key'.
What does it mean word for word?
The word almohadilla literally means 'little cushion' or 'pad', which is the term used for the hash/pound symbol in Spanish.
Did you know?
- In Mexico and parts of Latin America, people often call the # symbol el gato, which means 'the cat'.
- The word almohadilla is rooted in the Arabic word al-miḵadda, which is the same origin used for the Spanish word for 'pillow'.
- In some Latin American countries, the pound key is referred to as tecla numeral instead of tecla de almohadilla.
Examples in context
- Para verificar su saldo, presione el símbolo de número.To check your balance, press the pound key.
- Por favor, introduzca su identificación seguida del signo numeral.Please enter your identification followed by the pound key.
- Escribe tu código secreto seguido del numeral.Write your secret code followed by the pound key.
- Para completar la transacción, presiona el símbolo de almohadilla.To complete the transaction, press the pound key.
- Presione la tecla de almohadilla para continuar.Press the pound key to continue.
- Busque la tecla de almohadilla en su teléfono.Look for the pound key on your phone.
- No encuentro la tecla de almohadilla.I cannot find the pound key.
Example conversation
Lucía is helping Daniel use an automated phone system.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿puedes presionar la tecla de almohadilla?Daniel, can you press the pound key?
- DanielSí, ¿cuál es la tecla de almohadilla?Yes, which one is the pound key?
- LucíaEs el símbolo de número al final.It is the number symbol at the end.
- DanielAh, ya la encontré.Ah, I found it now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries almohadilla, de, tecla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
