astilla
/asˈtiʝa/feminine
The English phrase "splinter" is translated into Spanish as astilla. Wiktionary also lists esquirla.
Meaning: fragment of material (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| astilla | /asˈtiʝa/ | feminine |
| esquirla | /esˈkiɾla/ | feminine |
The word astilla refers to a fragment of material, specifically a splinter of wood such as one from a tree or a wooden table.
Which one should you use?
While astilla usually refers to a splinter of wood, esquirla is more commonly used for sharp fragments of harder materials like metal, glass or stone.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb astillar is used when an external force causes something to splinter. To describe an object that has itself broken into splinters, use the reflexive form astillarse, such as La madera se astilló (The wood splintered).
How do you pronounce it?
/asˈtiʝa/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, astilla is used colloquially to describe a very thin person.
- The word esquirla shares its DNA with the English word 'schism', as both stem from the Greek word for a split or a division.
- While esquirla can mean a splinter, it is also the word used for 'shrapnel' in military contexts, describing much more dangerous fragments than a wooden splinter.
Examples in context
- Tengo una astilla clavada en el dedo.I've got a splinter stuck in my finger.This sentence shows how to describe having an astilla stuck in your finger.Tatoeba #7917869 by fpp, translation #6583516 by Eccles17
- Tom retiró la astilla del dedo de María.Tom removed the splinter from Mary's finger.This sentence is useful for describing the removal of an astilla from a finger.Tatoeba #3518169 by Aether, translation #2957945 by CK
- ¡Mamá, me clavé una astilla jugando en el jardín!Mom, I got a splinter playing in the garden!
- Salió una astilla de la silla de madera.A splinter came out of the wooden chair.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are cleaning up a broken wooden crate in the garden.
- DanielTen cuidado con esa caja de madera.Be careful with that wooden crate.
- María¡Ay! Me entró una astilla en la mano.Ouch! I got a splinter in my hand.
- DanielDéjame ayudarte a sacarla, María.Let me help you take it out, María.
- MaríaGracias, Daniel, me duele un poco.Thanks, Daniel, it hurts a little.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “splinter” translations and entries astilla, esquirla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries astilla, esquirla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
