Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Hammer in Spanish: Martillo
Martillo · noun (masculine) · mahr-TEE-yoh
Hammer in Spanish is martillo. It refers to the standard claw hammer used in construction and home repairs. The verb to hammer is martillar or dar martillazos. A heavier hammer or mallet is called a mazo.
mahr-TEE-yoh — three syllables with stress on the second. The ll is pronounced like a 'y' in most Spanish dialects.
Pásame el martillo para clavar este cuadro.
Pass me the hammer to hang this picture.
Hammer in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for hammer, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| martillo | hammer | mahr-TEE-yoh | Default, widely understood |
| martillar | hammer | verb: to hammer | |
| mazo | hammer | mallet, heavy hammer |
How Native Speakers Use Martillo
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Home repair
Usé el martillo para clavar los clavos en la pared.
I used the hammer to drive the nails into the wall.
Clavar (to nail) is the verb most commonly paired with martillo.
Construction site
El carpintero golpeó la madera con un mazo.
The carpenter struck the wood with a mallet.
Mazo is a heavier tool, like a rubber mallet or sledgehammer.
Figurative use
Esa noticia cayó como un martillazo.
That news hit like a hammer blow.
Martillazo (hammer blow) is used figuratively to describe shocking or forceful impact.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Martillo
Confusing martillo with mazo
Incorrect: Necesito un martillo de goma.
Correct: Necesito un mazo de goma.
A rubber hammer is specifically a mazo de goma (rubber mallet). Martillo typically refers to a metal claw hammer.
Using the wrong verb for hammering
Incorrect: Voy a martillo el clavo.
Correct: Voy a martillar el clavo. / Voy a clavar el clavo.
Martillo is the noun. The verb is martillar (to hammer) or clavar (to nail/drive in). Do not use the noun as a verb.
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See Martillo used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Hammer in Spanish
- How do you say hammer in Spanish?
- Hammer in Spanish is martillo. It refers to the standard handheld tool for driving nails. A larger hammer or mallet is called mazo.
- What is the verb to hammer in Spanish?
- The verb is martillar (to hammer). You can also say dar martillazos (to give hammer blows) or clavar (to nail, to drive in).
- What is a sledgehammer in Spanish?
- A sledgehammer is un mazo or un combo (in some Latin American countries). The term marro is also used in certain regions of Mexico.