Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pañuelo | /paɲuˈelo/ | masculine |
| pañuelo de papel | /paɲwelo de papel/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| clínex | /ˈklineɡs/ | masculine |
The term for a sheet of absorbent paper can be expressed in several ways depending on whether you are being specific or using common shorthand. While pañuelo is often used as a shorthand for a disposable tissue when the context of a sneeze or a runny nose is clear, it is also the standard word for a reusable cloth handkerchief.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase pañuelo de papel literally translates to 'handkerchief of paper' to specify that the item is a disposable tissue rather than a cloth one.
Which one should you use?
pañuelo is the standard term that can mean both a paper tissue and a cloth handkerchief. To be specific about a disposable paper item, you can use pañuelo de papel. In many Spanish-speaking countries, the colloquial term clínex is used generically for facial tissues, much like the brand name 'Kleenex' is used in English.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
pañuelo is the standard form, while clínex is a colloquialism used in many Spanish-speaking countries. pañuelo de papel is a more descriptive way to avoid confusion with cloth handkerchiefs.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, the colloquial diminutive pañuelito is sometimes used to refer to a tissue.
How does it change in a sentence?
All forms provided, including pañuelo, pañuelo de papel and clínex, are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/paɲuˈelo/
When do people say it?
In many Spanish-speaking countries, people use the brand name clínex informally to refer to facial tissues.
Did you know?
- A pañuelo can also refer to a traditional headscarf or a neckerchief, depending on how it is worn and the region of the Spanish-speaking world.
- In some cultures, offering a pañuelo that is made of cloth is considered a more intimate or permanent gesture than offering a disposable pañuelo de papel.
- The word pañuelo is formed from paño, meaning 'cloth', and the diminutive suffix -uelo, which literally turns it into a 'little cloth'.
Examples in context
- Toma un pañuelo, se te caen los mocos.Take a tissue, your nose is running.The sentence is useful for showing how to offer a pañuelo when someone's nose is running.Tatoeba #1927999 by marcelostockle, translation #1182319 by FiRez
- Creo que voy a estornudar… Dame un clínex.I think I'm gonna sneeze. Give me a tissue.The sentence shows how to use clínex informally when someone is about to sneeze.Tatoeba #886075 by Shishir, translation #2027 by shortiiboy
- Necesito un pañuelo.I need a tissue.The sentence is a simple way to state a need for a pañuelo.Tatoeba #4708392 by DarkHollow, translation #4707889 by AlanF_US
- Por favor, ¿puede pasarme un pañuelo?Could you please pass me a tissue?
- Siempre llevo pañuelos de papel en mi bolsoI always carry paper tissues in my purse
- Pásame un Kleenex, por favorPass me a tissue, please
- Siempre llevo un pañuelito en el bolsillo por si acasoI always carry a little tissue in my pocket just in case
- ¿Tienes un papelito? Necesito secarme la narizDo you have a tissue? I need to blow my nose
- No tengo pañuelos, ¿puedo usar un poco de papel higiénico?I don't have tissues, can I use some toilet paper?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are sitting in a living room.
- Lucía¿Tienes un pañuelo? Estoy resfriada.Do you have a tissue? I have a cold.
- JavierSí, hay una caja sobre la mesa.Yes, there is a box on the table.
- LucíaGracias, Javier. Solo necesito un pañuelo.Thanks, Javier. I only need one tissue.
- JavierDe nada, Lucía. Úsalos todos si quieres.You're welcome, Lucía. Use them all if you want.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tissue” translations and entries pañuelo, clínex, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries clínex, de, papel, pañuelo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
