afilador
/afilaˈdoɾ/masculine
The English phrase 'sharpener' is translated into Spanish as afilador. Wiktionary also lists afiladora.
Meaning: device for making things sharp (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| afilador | /afilaˈdoɾ/ | masculine |
| afiladora | /afilaˈdoɾa/ | feminine |
A afilador refers generally to a device used for making things sharp, such as a knife sharpener. If you are specifically looking for a tool used to sharpen pencils, the specific word for a pencil sharpener is sacapuntas.
What does it mean word for word?
The word afilador is formed from the verb afilar (to sharpen) and the suffix -dor, which denotes an agent or tool that performs an action.
Which one should you use?
Use the masculine form afilador when referring to a person who sharpens things or a generic tool.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Ecuador, people often use the term tajalápiz instead of afilador.
How do you pronounce it?
/afilaˈdoɾ/
Did you know?
- While afilador describes the tool, it also refers to a traditional street profession where a worker travels through neighborhoods shouting to offer knife-sharpening services.
- The word sacapuntas is a compound of the verb sacar (to take out) and puntas (points), literally meaning 'point-taker'.
- In many parts of Central America, such as Guatemala, a pencil sharpener is often called a tajador rather than a sacapuntas.
Examples in context
- El lápiz está romo, necesito un afilador.The pencil is blunt, I need a sharpener.
- Por favor, ¿me puedes prestar tu sacapuntas?Could you please lend me your sharpener?
- Oye, ¿tienes un afilalápices? Necesito arreglar mi lápiz.Hey, do you have a pencil sharpener? I need to fix my pencil.
- Necesito un afilador para mi cuchillo.I need a sharpener for my knife.
- El afilador está sobre la mesa.The sharpener is on the table.
- Compré un afilador nuevo para la cocina.I bought a new sharpener for the kitchen.
Example conversation
Mateo is looking for a tool in the kitchen.
- Elena¿Dónde está el afilador, Mateo?Where is the sharpener, Mateo?
- MateoNo encuentro el afilador por ninguna parte.I can't find the sharpener anywhere.
- ElenaMira, el afilador está en el cajón.Look, the sharpener is in the drawer.
- Mateo¡Ah, gracias, Elena!Ah, thanks, Elena!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sharpener” translations and entries afilador, afiladora, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
