Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Sharp in Spanish: Afilado
Afilado · adjective · ah-fee-LAH-doh
Sharp in Spanish is most commonly afilado when describing a keen cutting edge, such as a knife or blade. For sharp sounds, pains, or angles, Spanish uses agudo instead. The translation depends on what type of sharpness you are describing.
Afilado is pronounced ah-fee-LAH-doh with the stress on the third syllable. Agudo is pronounced ah-GOO-doh.
Ten cuidado, ese cuchillo está muy afilado.
Be careful, that knife is very sharp.
Sharp in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for sharp, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| afilado | sharp | ah-fee-LAH-doh | Default, widely understood |
| agudo | sharp | for sharp sounds, pain, or angles | |
| filoso | sharp | Latin America, sharp edge |
How Native Speakers Use Afilado
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Kitchen context
Necesito afilar este cuchillo porque ya no está afilado.
I need to sharpen this knife because it's no longer sharp.
Describing a dull blade that needs sharpening.
Describing pain
Sentí un dolor agudo en el costado mientras corría.
I felt a sharp pain in my side while running.
Reporting a sudden, intense pain during exercise.
Latin American variant
No toques eso, la hoja está muy filosa.
Don't touch that, the blade is very sharp.
Warning someone about a sharp object using the Latin American term.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Afilado
Using afilado for sharp pain
Incorrect: Tengo un dolor afilado en la espalda.
Correct: Tengo un dolor agudo en la espalda.
Afilado describes physical sharpness of an edge or blade, while agudo is the correct word for sharp sensations like pain or sharp sounds.
Forgetting gender agreement
Incorrect: La tijera está afilado.
Correct: La tijera está afilada.
Afilado must agree in gender with the noun it modifies; since tijera is feminine, the correct form is afilada.
Lock in Sharp 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 Afilado used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using afilado in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Ten cuidado, ese cuchillo está muy afilado. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Sharp in Spanish
- How do you say sharp in Spanish?
- The translation depends on context: afilado for a sharp edge or blade, agudo for sharp pain or sounds, and filoso as an alternative in Latin America for cutting edges.
- What is the difference between afilado and agudo?
- Afilado refers to the physical sharpness of a cutting tool like a knife, while agudo describes intangible sharpness such as a sharp pain, a high-pitched sound, or a sharp angle.
- How do you say 'to sharpen' in Spanish?
- The verb is afilar, as in afilar un cuchillo (to sharpen a knife), which shares the same root as the adjective afilado.