serrín
/seˈrin/masculine
The English word sawdust is serrín in Spanish. Wiktionary also lists aserrín and aserraduras.
Meaning: dust created by sawing (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| serrín | /seˈrin/ | masculine |
| aserrín | /aseˈrin/ | masculine |
| aserraduras | /aseraduɾas/ (from spelling rules) | feminine, plural |
The terms are used to describe the dust created by the process of sawing wood.
What does it mean word for word?
The word aserrín is derived from the verb aserrar, which means to saw.
Which one should you use?
The words serrín and aserrín are used as uncountable nouns to describe the substance itself. In contrast, aserraduras is a plural noun often used to refer to the collective shavings or the byproduct resulting from a sawing process.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Aserrín is a term for sawdust commonly used in Mexico and some Central American countries.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both serrín and aserrín are masculine nouns and require masculine articles such as el or un. Aserraduras is a feminine plural noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/seˈrin/
Did you know?
- In certain Spanish-speaking traditions, people create 'alfombras de serrín', which are colorful, temporary carpets made entirely of dyed sawdust used during religious festivals.
- The word serrín shares a common ancestor with the English word 'serrated', which describes the sharp, tooth-like edges of a saw blade.
- In many Spanish-speaking carpentry contexts, the plural aserraduras is often treated as a more technical or industrial term, whereas serrín sounds more like the fine powder found in a household or workshop.
Examples in context
- El carpintero limpió la viruta del sueloThe carpenter cleaned the sawdust from the floor
- Es necesario utilizar mascarilla cuando se trabaje con polvo de maderaIt is necessary to wear a mask when working with sawdust
- Limpie el suelo de la virutaClean the floor of the sawdust
- Hay mucho serrín en el suelo.There is a lot of sawdust on the floor.
- El serrín cubre toda la mesa.The sawdust covers the whole table.
- Limpia el serrín después de trabajar.Clean up the sawdust after working.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are cleaning a woodworking shop.
- ElenaDaniel, mira cuánto serrín hay aquí.Daniel, look how much sawdust is here.
- DanielTienes razón, Elena. Traeré la escoba.You are right, Elena. I will bring the broom.
- ElenaTen cuidado de no respirar el serrín.Be careful not to breathe in the sawdust.
- DanielNo te preocupes, llevo mi mascarilla puesta.Don't worry, I have my mask on.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sawdust” translations and entries serrín, aserrín, 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 aserrín, serrín, CC BY-SA 4.0.
