encintar
/enθinˈtaɾ/
To tape in Spanish is encintar. Wiktionary also lists teipear and enteipar.
Meaning: to bind with adhesive tape (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| encintar | /enθinˈtaɾ/ /ensinˈtaɾ/ |
|
| teipear | /teipeaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | Nicaragua |
| enteipar | /enteiˈpaɾ/ | US |
The verb encintar means to bind something with adhesive tape. If you are referring to the adhesive tape itself as a noun, the word is cinta. In some Latin American countries, the informal diminutive cintita is used to mean a little bit of tape.
Which one should you use?
While encintar is the verb used for the action of applying tape, cinta is the noun used for the object itself.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form teipear is a slang term derived from the English word 'tape'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Nicaragua, the term teipear is used. In the United States, Spanish speakers use the term enteipar.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle encintado can be used as an adjective to describe an object that has been taped.
How do you pronounce it?
/enθinˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- In certain traditional festivals in Spain, the act of encintar refers to a game where riders try to capture a ribbon tied to a pole with their lance.
- While 'cinta' is the standard word for 'tape', it is also the exact same word used for a 'belt' or a 'ribbon', depending on the context.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the word cinta is used to describe the finishing tape used at the end of a race. The winner is often said to cortar la cinta or 'cut the tape'.
Examples in context
- ¿Dónde puedo comprar una cinta de enmascarar?Where can I buy masking tape?
- Recuerdo cuando solíamos grabar música en cintas.I remember when we used to record music on tapes.
- ¿Me prestas un poco de celo para arreglar estas hojas?Can you lend me some tape to fix these sheets?
- Voy a poner celo alrededor del regalo para que no se desarme.I'm going to put tape around the present so it doesn't come apart.
- Mamá, necesito una cintita adhesiva para hacer una manualidad.Mom, I need a little bit of tape to do a craft.
- Voy a encintar las cajas para la mudanza.I am going to tape the boxes for the move.
- Tienes que encintar bien el paquete.You have to tape the package well.
Example conversation
Maria and Javier are packing for a move.
- MaríaJavier, ¿puedes ayudarme con esto?Javier, can you help me with this?
- JavierSí, ¿qué necesitas que haga?Yes, what do you need me to do?
- MaríaPor favor, encintar el fondo de la caja.Please, tape the bottom of the box.
- JavierEstá bien, yo lo hago ahora.All right, I'll do it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tape” translations and entries encintar, enteipar, 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.
