Spanish Conversation · Level 72
60 words
Spanish word
tuerca
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈtweɾka/
Meaning
- feminine nounnut
Example
¿Dónde está la tuerca que falta?
Where is the missing nut?
More examples
Siempre aprieta la tuerca después de montar la rueda.
Always tighten the nut after mounting the wheel.
Core concept
Small threaded metal part that mates with a screw or bolt to hold parts together.
Common phrases
apretar la tuerca
tighten the nut
aflojar la tuerca
loosen the nut
Similar words
tornillo: Tapered metal rod with external threads that is driven into wood or metal to fasten materials.
perno: Heavy threaded pin with a head that passes through thick pieces and is tightened to join them.
arandela: Flat circular washer that distributes clamping force and prevents surface marring under a fastener.
contratuerca: Second small threaded piece tightened onto an existing threaded part to lock the connection.
Definition in Spanish
Pieza usada para sujetar piezas mediante la interacción de su rosca interior con un tornillo o perno.
Word origin
From Latin torquere 'to twist', via late Latin and Old Spanish, literally meaning 'that which receives the twist' and denoting the nut used with a bolt.
Usage tips
- In everyday speech speakers often say 'tuerca y tornillo' for the fastener pair, so name both pieces when specifying a missing or matching part.