Spanish vocabulary · Intermediate
How to Say Stapler in Spanish: Engrapadora
Engrapadora · noun (feminine) · ehn-grah-pah-DOH-rah
Stapler in Spanish is engrapadora in most of Latin America, grapadora in Spain, and abrochadora in Argentina. All three terms refer to the same office device used to fasten sheets of paper together with metal staples.
Engrapadora is pronounced ehn-grah-pah-DOH-rah, with the stress on the fourth syllable. Grapadora is grah-pah-DOH-rah.
¿Me prestas la engrapadora? Necesito unir estos papeles.
Can you lend me the stapler? I need to fasten these papers.
Stapler in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for stapler, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| engrapadora | stapler | ehn-grah-pah-DOH-rah | Default, widely understood |
| grapadora | stapler | Spain | |
| abrochadora | stapler | Argentina |
How Native Speakers Use Engrapadora
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Office request
La engrapadora de mi escritorio se quedó sin grapas.
The stapler on my desk ran out of staples.
A common office supply situation.
School project
Usa la grapadora para unir las hojas del proyecto.
Use the stapler to fasten the pages of the project.
A teacher instructing a student in Spain.
Buying supplies
Compré una abrochadora nueva en la papelería.
I bought a new stapler at the stationery store.
Shopping for office supplies in Argentina.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Engrapadora
Using the English word stapler
Incorrect: ¿Dónde está el stapler?
Correct: ¿Dónde está la engrapadora?
Stapler has no cognate in Spanish; you must use the region-appropriate term like engrapadora, grapadora, or abrochadora.
Wrong gender article
Incorrect: El grapadora está en el cajón.
Correct: La grapadora está en el cajón.
All variants — engrapadora, grapadora, and abrochadora — are feminine nouns and take the article la.
Lock in Stapler 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 Engrapadora used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using engrapadora in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear ¿Me prestas la engrapadora? Necesito unir estos papeles. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Stapler in Spanish
- How do you say stapler in Spanish?
- The word varies by region: engrapadora in most of Latin America, grapadora in Spain, and abrochadora in Argentina.
- What is the word for staples in Spanish?
- Staples (the metal fasteners) are called grapas in Spanish, regardless of which regional word is used for the stapler device itself.
- Is engrapadora or grapadora more widely used?
- Engrapadora is more common across Latin America as a whole, while grapadora is the standard in Spain, so the better choice depends on your audience.