destapacaños
/desˌtapaˈkaɲos/
The English phrase "toilet plunger" is destapacaños in Spanish.
A destapacaños is a rubber tool used to clear blockages from a toilet or a drain.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound formed from the verb destapar (to unclog or uncover) and caños (pipes or drains), literally meaning "unclogger of drains".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the most common term for a plunger is desatascador. In the Southern Cone region, including Argentina, Uruguay and parts of Chile, sopapa is commonly used instead of destapacaños.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word destapacaños is invariable in gender and number. It does not change whether you are referring to one plunger or multiple plungers.
How do you pronounce it?
/desˌtapaˈkaɲos/
Did you know?
- The verb destapar used in destapacaños also means to 'uncover' or 'reveal', and is used in Spanish to describe exposing a secret or a scandal.
- In Spain, the term desatascador is derived from atasco, which is the same word used to describe a traffic jam on the highway.
- In Argentina and Uruguay, the word sopapa is used for a plunger, which is an onomatopoeia mimicking the 'pop' sound the rubber makes when it releases from the drain.
Examples in context
- ¿Dónde puedo encontrar un desatascador de váter?Where can I find a toilet plunger?
- Necesito un destapacaños para el baño.I need a plunger for the bathroom.
- El destapacaños está debajo del fregadero.The plunger is under the sink.
- ¿Dónde compraste ese destapacaños?Where did you buy that plunger?
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are in the laundry room looking for a tool.
- MateoElena, ¿tienes un destapacaños?Elena, do you have a plunger?
- ElenaNo, pero lo busco ahora mismo.No, but I am looking for it right now.
- MateoEl inodoro no baja el agua.The toilet won't flush.
- ElenaTranquilo, ya lo encuentro.Don't worry, I'll find it soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry destapacaños, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
