Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Hole in Spanish: Agujero, Hoyo & Hueco — Know the Difference
Agujero · noun (masculine) · ah-goo-HEH-roh
Hole in Spanish is agujero for punctures and openings, hoyo for pits dug in the ground, and hueco for empty or hollow spaces.
Agujero is pronounced ah-goo-HEH-roh, hoyo is OH-yoh, and hueco is WEH-koh.
Hay un agujero en mi calcetín.
There is a hole in my sock.
Hole in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for hole, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| agujero | hole | ah-goo-HEH-roh | Default, widely understood |
| hoyo | hole | physical pit or dug hole | |
| hueco | hole | hollow space or gap |
How Native Speakers Use Agujero
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Torn fabric
El ratón hizo un agujero en la bolsa de harina.
The mouse made a hole in the flour bag.
Agujero describes a puncture or tear in a surface.
Golf course
La pelota cayó directamente en el hoyo.
The ball fell directly into the hole.
Hoyo refers to a pit or depression in the ground, as in golf.
Empty space
Dejaron un hueco entre los muebles para pasar.
They left a gap between the furniture to walk through.
Hueco means an empty space or opening between objects.
Road damage
Ten cuidado con ese hoyo en la carretera.
Be careful with that pothole in the road.
Hoyo is commonly used for potholes.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Agujero
Using hoyo for a tear in clothing
Incorrect: Tengo un hoyo en la camisa.
Correct: Tengo un agujero en la camisa.
Hoyo refers to a pit or depression in the ground, not a tear or puncture in fabric. Use agujero for holes in clothing or surfaces.
Confusing hueco with agujero for damage
Incorrect: El clavo dejó un hueco en la pared.
Correct: El clavo dejó un agujero en la pared.
Hueco implies a hollow or empty space, while agujero is the right word for a hole caused by piercing or puncturing.
Lock in Hole 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 Agujero used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using agujero in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Hay un agujero en mi calcetín. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Hole in Spanish
- When should I use agujero vs. hoyo vs. hueco?
- Use agujero for holes caused by tearing, puncturing, or boring through a surface (a hole in a wall, in a sock). Use hoyo for pits or depressions in the ground (a pothole, a golf hole). Use hueco for an empty space or gap (a hollow in a tree, a gap in a shelf).
- What is the word for 'black hole' in Spanish?
- A black hole in Spanish is agujero negro. This is the standard term used in science and astronomy.
- Is there a verb related to agujero?
- Yes, the verb agujerear means to make holes in something, to perforate. For example: El agua agujeró el techo (The water made holes in the roof).