agujero
Lemma Details
Translation: hole; gap; opening; perforation
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: Derived from the Latin 'acus' meaning 'needle', through the diminutive form 'acucula' which evolved to 'aguja' (needle) in Spanish. 'Agujero' literally means 'the place made by a needle'. This connection to needles helps explain why it refers specifically to a pierced opening rather than just any type of hole or cavity.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 20%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Hay un agujero en mi calcetín.
There is a hole in my sock.
El ratón se escondió en un agujero en la pared.
The mouse hid in a hole in the wall.
La empresa tiene un agujero financiero de millones de euros.
The company has a financial hole of millions of euros.
Necesitamos tapar ese agujero antes de que entre agua.
We need to cover that hole before water gets in.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'aguja' (needle) + '-ero' (place for) = 'agujero' (a place made by a needle, i.e., a hole)
- Imagine an 'aguja' (needle) making a hole in fabric - that hole is an 'agujero'
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, 'agujero' is used both literally and figuratively. The expression 'meterse en un agujero' (to hide in a hole) is common when someone wants to disappear due to embarrassment.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'agujero' means 'hole', 'ojo' means 'eye'. They sound somewhat similar but have completely different meanings.
Confused word:
Tiene ojos azules.
He has blue eyes.
Notes: The confusion often happens with beginners due to some phonetic similarity.
Mnemonic: 'Agujero' starts with 'agu-' like 'aguja' (needle), which makes holes. 'Ojo' is shorter and rounder, like an eye.
Explanation: 'Agujero' typically refers to a hole that penetrates through something, while 'hueco' is more of a hollow space or cavity within something.
Confused word:
Hay un hueco en el tronco donde viven los pájaros.
There is a hollow in the tree trunk where birds live.
Notes: Both can sometimes be translated as 'hole' in English, but they have distinct uses in Spanish.
Mnemonic: Think of 'agujero' as going through (like a needle), while 'hueco' is a space inside something.