grapas
/ɡɾapas/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for staples is grapas.
grapas refers to the small pieces of bent metal wire used to fasten papers together. To describe the action of stapling papers, you use the verb engrapar and the tool used to apply them is called a grapadora.
Which one should you use?
In Spanish, grapas refers specifically to the metal fasteners, whereas clips or sujetapapeles refers to reusable paper clips.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the word is grapa.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡɾapas/
Did you know?
- Beyond the office, a grapa is a common medical tool used by surgeons to close wounds instead of using traditional thread stitches.
- In some Spanish speaking countries, the word corchetes can mean both 'staples' and the 'square brackets' used in writing.
- If you are in a hardware store, asking for a grapa might result in receiving a heavy-duty fastener for roofing or fencing rather than office staples.
Examples in context
- Tengo que meter grapas en la grapadora.I need to put more staples in the stapler.This sentence is useful for describing the need to refill the grapadora with grapas.Tatoeba #10543067 by Shishir, translation #10619084 by sangelo
- Prefiero usar grapas a clips para sujetar los folios.I prefer using staples rather than clips to hold reports together.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for using grapas over paper clips.Tatoeba #10552413 by saverius, translation #10619092 by sangelo
- Para armar este informe, necesitarás unas grapas o broches.To assemble this report, you will need some staples.
- Se acabaron las grapas en la oficina.The staples ran out in the office.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are working at a desk in an office.
- Mateo¿Tienes grapas para este informe?Do you have staples for this report?
- MaríaNo, pero puedo traerte unas.No, but I can bring you some.
- MateoGracias, María, me salvas la vida.Thanks, María, you're saving my life.
- MaríaDe nada, Mateo, ya vuelvo.You're welcome, Mateo, I'll be right back.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
