cuchilla
/kuˈt͡ʃiʝa/feminine
The English phrase "razor blade" is translated into Spanish as cuchilla. Wiktionary also lists razuradora and hoja de afeitar.
Meaning: razor blade (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cuchilla | /kuˈt͡ʃiʝa/ | feminine |
| razuradora | /raθuɾaˈdoɾa/ /rasuɾaˈdoɾa/ |
feminine |
| hoja de afeitar | /oxa de afeitaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
Hoja de afeitar is the most precise way to specify the thin, replaceable metal blade used for shaving.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase hoja de afeitar is composed of hoja (blade/leaf) and afeitar (to shave).
Which one should you use?
While cuchilla can mean a razor blade, it is also the common word for a utility knife blade or a box cutter. In contrast, razuradora typically refers to the entire shaving device (the razor) rather than just the replaceable metal blade.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, people might use the term navaja de rasurar instead of navaja de afeitar.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of cuchilla is cuchillas.
How do you pronounce it?
/kuˈtʃiʝa/
Did you know?
- The word hoja is a linguistic oddity because it evolved from the Latin plural folia. Spanish speakers reinterpreted a plural word meaning 'leaves' as a feminine singular noun.
- The term cuchilla is a diminutive of cuchillo, which means 'knife'. This reflects a common Spanish linguistic pattern of using the -illa ending to denote a smaller version of an object.
- If you ask for a cuchilla in a hardware store, the clerk will likely hand you a utility knife blade rather than a razor blade for shaving.
Examples in context
- El papel le cortó el dedo como si fuese una hoja de afeitar.The paper cut his finger as if it were a razor blade.This sentence uses hoja de afeitar to show how sharp a piece of paper can feel.Tatoeba #1609187 by hayastan, translation #5543182 by zvzuibqx
- Necesito un paquete de cuchillas de afeitar.I need a pack of razor blades.
- Ten cuidado con la cuchilla.Be careful with the razor blade.
- Necesito comprar una cuchilla nueva.I need to buy a new razor blade.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are in the bathroom together.
- ElenaDaniel, ¿sabes dónde están las cuchillas?Daniel, do you know where the razor blades are?
- DanielEstán en el cajón del baño, Elena.They are in the bathroom drawer, Elena.
- ElenaNo encuentro ninguna cuchilla nueva.I can't find any new razor blades.
- DanielCreo que se terminaron ayer.I think they ran out yesterday.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “razor blade” translations and entries cuchilla, razuradora, hoja de afeitar, 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 afeitar, cuchilla, de, hoja, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
