Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Drill in Spanish
Taladro · noun · tah-LAH-droh
Taladro refers to the power tool used to bore holes. Simulacro covers the practice-exercise meaning (fire drill, earthquake drill). The verbs perforar and taladrar both mean to drill into a surface.
tah-LAH-droh
Necesito un taladro para colgar el estante.
I need a drill to hang the shelf.
Drill in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for drill, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| taladro | drill | tah-LAH-droh | Default, widely understood |
| simulacro | drill | practice exercise, e.g. fire drill | |
| perforar | drill | verb: to drill / bore a hole | |
| taladrar | drill | verb: to drill with a power tool |
How Native Speakers Use Taladro
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Home improvement
Usé el taladro para hacer agujeros en la pared.
I used the drill to make holes in the wall.
Taladro is the standard noun for the hand-held power tool.
School safety
Mañana tendremos un simulacro de incendio en la escuela.
Tomorrow we will have a fire drill at school.
Simulacro de incendio is the set phrase for fire drill.
Construction verb
Los obreros perforaron el concreto para instalar las tuberías.
The workers drilled through the concrete to install the pipes.
Perforar is preferred for heavy-duty drilling in professional contexts.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Taladro
Using taladro for a practice drill
Incorrect: Hicimos un taladro de emergencia.
Correct: Hicimos un simulacro de emergencia.
Taladro is the physical tool. For a practice or rehearsal exercise, use simulacro.
Confusing perforar and taladrar
Incorrect: Voy a taladrar el pozo de petróleo.
Correct: Voy a perforar el pozo de petróleo.
Taladrar typically applies to small-scale drilling with a hand tool. Perforar is used for large-scale drilling operations like oil wells.
Lock in Drill Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Taladro used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using taladro in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Necesito un taladro para colgar el estante. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Drill in Spanish
- How do I say 'drill bit' in Spanish?
- A drill bit is una broca. You attach the broca to the taladro before drilling.
- What is an earthquake drill in Spanish?
- An earthquake drill is un simulacro de terremoto or un simulacro de sismo.
- Can I use perforar and taladrar interchangeably?
- They overlap, but taladrar usually implies using a taladro (power drill) on a smaller scale, while perforar is broader and covers any boring or piercing action, including industrial drilling.