Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Pliers in Spanish: Alicates, Pinzas & Tenazas
Alicates · noun (masculine plural) · ah-lee-KAH-tehs
The Spanish word for pliers is 'alicates,' a term that is almost always used in the plural form, much like the English word 'pliers.' For smaller or precision tools, 'pinzas' is common, while 'tenazas' refers to heavier gripping or clamping tools.
Pronounce 'alicates' as ah-lee-KAH-tehs, stressing the third syllable. Like English 'pliers,' it typically appears in plural form.
Pásame los alicates para cortar el alambre.
Pass me the pliers to cut the wire.
Pliers in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for pliers, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| alicates | pliers | ah-lee-KAH-tehs | Default, widely understood |
| pinzas | pliers | smaller precision pliers or tongs | |
| tenazas | pliers | heavier gripping pliers |
How Native Speakers Use Alicates
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Home repair
Necesito unos alicates para aflojar esta tuerca.
I need pliers to loosen this nut.
Working on a household repair project.
Electrical work
El electricista usó las pinzas para pelar los cables.
The electrician used pliers to strip the wires.
Describing an electrical installation task.
Workshop setting
Las tenazas están en el segundo cajón de la caja de herramientas.
The pliers are in the second drawer of the toolbox.
Organizing tools in a workshop.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Alicates
Using singular 'alicate'
Incorrect: Dame el alicate, por favor.
Correct: Dame los alicates, por favor.
Like 'pliers' in English, 'alicates' is predominantly used in the plural form. While 'alicate' exists as a singular, it sounds unnatural in everyday speech.
Confusing 'pinzas' with tweezers only
Incorrect: Necesito pinzas para arrancar el clavo. (thinking tweezers)
Correct: Necesito alicates para arrancar el clavo.
While 'pinzas' can mean small precision pliers, it also means tweezers. For heavy-duty gripping tasks like pulling nails, 'alicates' or 'tenazas' are more appropriate.
Lock in Pliers 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 Alicates used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using alicates in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Pásame los alicates para cortar el alambre. 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 Pliers in Spanish
- What is the difference between 'alicates,' 'pinzas,' and 'tenazas'?
- The word 'alicates' refers to standard multipurpose pliers, 'pinzas' covers smaller precision tools and tweezers, and 'tenazas' describes larger heavy-duty gripping tools, each matching a different size and function.
- Is 'alicate' ever used in the singular?
- While grammatically possible, using the singular 'alicate' sounds unusual because the tool inherently has two handles and jaws, so Spanish speakers naturally use the plural 'alicates.'
- How do you say 'needle-nose pliers' in Spanish?
- Needle-nose pliers are called 'alicates de punta' or 'alicates de punta fina,' describing the thin, pointed tip that distinguishes them from standard flat-jaw pliers.