pinchazo
/pinˈt͡ʃaθo/masculine
The English word puncture can be translated into Spanish as pinchazo. Wiktionary also lists ponchadura.
Meaning: hole, cut or tear (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pinchazo | /pinˈt͡ʃaθo/ /pinˈt͡ʃaso/ |
masculine |
| ponchadura | /pont͡ʃaduɾa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
Pinchazo is a common and neutral term used for puncture in Spanish.
Which one should you use?
Use pinchazo to refer to a puncture caused by a sharp object like a needle or a thorn. In many parts of Latin America, ponchadura is the standard term specifically for a puncture in a tire.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Ponchadura is a term commonly used in some Caribbean countries, such as the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/pinˈtʃaθo/
Did you know?
- The word ponchadura comes from the verb ponchar, which is a direct phonetic adaptation of the English word 'punch'.
- The verb pinchar can also be used in slang to mean 'to cheat' or 'to trick' someone in certain countries, moving far away from the physical act of puncturing.
- The suffix in pinchazo is -azo, which is a common Spanish way to indicate a forceful strike or a sudden blow. This makes the word sound more like a physical impact than a simple leak.
Examples in context
- Mi neumático tiene un pinchazoMy tire has a puncture
- El doctor necesita hacer una perforación en el hueso para colocar el implante.The doctor needs to make a puncture in the bone to place the implant.
- Me quedé varado en la carretera por un pincho en la ruedaI got stranded on the road due to a puncture in the tire
- Mi bicicleta sufrió una ponchadura en el neumáticoMy bike had a puncture in the tire
- Me detuve a un lado de la carretera debido al pinchazo de mi neumático.I pulled over to the side of the road because of the puncture in my tire.
- Hay un pinchazo en la rueda trasera.There is a puncture in the rear wheel.
- El pinchazo fue causado por un clavo.The puncture was caused by a nail.
- Revisa si hay algún pinchazo en la llanta.Check if there is any puncture in the tire.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are standing next to a broken bicycle in the park.
- Mateo¿Escuchaste ese ruido en la bicicleta?Did you hear that noise on the bicycle?
- LucíaSí, parece que tienes un pinchazo.Yes, it looks like you have a puncture.
- MateoEs un pinchazo muy grande, Lucía.It is a very large puncture, Lucía.
- LucíaNo te preocupes, yo puedo ayudarte.Don't worry, I can help you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “puncture” translations and entries pinchazo, ponchadura, 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.
