chincheta
/t͡ʃinˈt͡ʃeta/feminine
The English word thumbtack is translated into Spanish as chincheta. Wiktionary also lists chinche and tachuela.
Meaning: nail-like tack (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| chincheta | /t͡ʃinˈt͡ʃeta/ | feminine |
| chinche | /ˈt͡ʃint͡ʃe/ | feminine, masculine |
| tachuela | /taˈt͡ʃwela/ | feminine |
All these terms refer to a nail-like tack. You can also use the verb tachonar to describe the action of attaching something with a thumbtack.
Which one should you use?
While chincheta is the standard term in Spain, tachuela is frequently used in many parts of Latin America to refer to a thumbtack or a small nail. Additionally, while chinche can be used as a shorthand for chincheta, it also refers to a bedbug.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the standard term is chincheta. In many parts of Latin America, you will often hear tachuela.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The words have different genders: chincheta and tachuela are feminine, while chinche can be either masculine or feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃinˈtʃeta/
Did you know?
- In certain contexts, chinche functions as a minced oath. It is used as a polite substitute for the vulgar intensifier pinche, which is used to express anger or frustration.
- Because chinche is also the word for a bedbug, telling someone you have a chinche in your room could mean you are pinning up notes or that you have a pest problem.
Examples in context
- "¡Ay!" "¿Qué pasa?" "He pisado una chincheta"."Ouch!" "What's the matter?" "I stepped on a thumbtack."This sentence shows how to express the pain of stepping on a chinche.Tatoeba #10095052 by manufrutos, translation #10094833 by letsgolanguages
- ¿Puedes pasar las chinchetas, por favor?Can you pass me the thumbtacks, please?
- Necesito una chincheta para el mapa.I need a thumbtack for the map.
- La chincheta es de color rojo.The thumbtack is red.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are decorating a room with a poster.
- Sofía¿Tienes una chincheta para este póster?Do you have a thumbtack for this poster?
- AlejandroSí, busca en el cajón de la mesa.Yes, look in the table drawer.
- SofíaAquí está la chincheta, gracias.Here is the thumbtack, thanks.
- AlejandroDe nada, Sofía.You're welcome, Sofía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thumbtack” translations and entries chincheta, chinche, tachuela, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chinche, chincheta, tachuela, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
