pañuelos
/paɲwelos/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for tissues is pañuelos.
The term is used for soft, disposable pieces of paper used for wiping the nose or eyes. In many Spanish-speaking countries, the brand name 'Kleenex' is also used informally to refer to tissues generically.
Which one should you use?
The word pañuelo can mean either a disposable tissue or a reusable cloth handkerchief depending on the context. To be specific about disposable paper tissues, you can use the phrase pañuelos de papel.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, you may often hear the informal diminutive pañuelitos used to refer to tissues.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the word is pañuelo.
How do you pronounce it?
/paɲwelos/
Did you know?
- The word pañuelo is also the standard name for a 'handkerchief' used by dancers in traditional folk music and dances across many Spanish-speaking cultures.
- While many people use the brand name 'Kleenex' in English, in many Spanish-speaking regions you will hear people use the word clínex as a generic term for any tissue.
- The word pañuelo shares a root with the word paño, which means 'cloth' or 'fabric', reflecting its history as a textile rather than a paper product.
Examples in context
- Ella no tenía pañuelos para secar sus lágrimas.She had no tissues to wipe away her tears.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use pañuelos when talking about wiping tears.Tatoeba #2695850 by marcelostockle, translation #2346039 by Hybrid
- ¿Tiene pañuelos de papel? Estoy resfriado.Do you have tissues? I have a cold.
- Por favor, me puede pasar las toallas de papel.Could you please pass me the tissues?
- ¿Tienes Kleenex en tu bolso? Los necesito.Do you have tissues in your bag? I need them.
- Mamá, ¿puedes darme los pañuelitos?Mom, can you give me the tissues?
- Compra pañuelos desechables para el viaje.Buy disposable handkerchiefs for the trip.
- Necesito unos pañuelos porque tengo alergia.I need some tissues because I have allergies.
- ¿Dónde guardas los pañuelos de papel?Where do you keep the paper tissues?
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are in the living room during flu season.
- JavierElena, ¿sabes dónde están los pañuelos?Elena, do you know where the tissues are?
- ElenaEstán sobre la mesa de la entrada.They are on the entry table.
- JavierGracias, me estoy resfriando mucho.Thanks, I'm getting a bad cold.
- ElenaToma los pañuelos y descansa un poco.Take the tissues and rest a bit.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
