| CONSTRUCTION TERMS IN SPANISH | ||||
| ENGLISH | ESPAÑOL | PRONUNCIATION | ||
| anchor bolts | tornillos-L | torr-NEE-yos enn ELL-ay | ||
| architect | arquitecto | ARE-key-TECH-toe | ||
| barrel | tanque or barril | TAHN-kay or bah-RRREEL | ||
| bathtub | bañera | bahn-YAY-rah | ||
| beam | caballete | KAH-bah-YAY-tay | ||
| bedroom | dormitorio | DOR-mee-TOH-ree-oh | ||
| belts (V-belts, sander belts, etc.) | bandas | BAHN-duss | ||
| bench (for miter saw) | mesa para el serrucho fijo | MAY-sah PAH-ra ale say-ROO-cho FEE-oh | ||
| block (wood or concrete) | bloque | BLOW-kay | ||
| blue prints | planos | PLAH-nos | ||
| board | tabla | TAH-blah | ||
| board (2 x 4) | dos por quatro | DOSE pore KWAH-tro | ||
| bolt | perno | PAIR-no | ||
| boot | bota | BOW-tah | ||
| brace | barrote or tirante | bah-ROW-tay or tee-RAHN-tay | ||
| brace (hand drill) | berbiqui | bear-BEE-kwee | ||
| brace (temporary wall brace) | puntal de pared | poon-TAHL day pah-RED | ||
| breaker (or switch) | interruptor | EEN-tay-ROOP-tor | ||
| breaker box (main) | carga centro | KAR-gah CEN-troh | ||
| bricks | ladrillos | lah-DREE-yose | ||
| broom | escoba | ay-SCOH-bah | ||
| brush | cepillo (or brocha for paintbrush) | say-PEE-yoh (or BROH-shah) | ||
| bucket | bote or balde | bow-TAY or BALL-day | ||
| camera | camara | CAHM-mah-rah | ||
| carpenter | carpintero | CAR-peen-TAY-roh | ||
| carpentry | carpinteria | CAR-peen-TAY-ree-ah | ||
| caulk (tube of caulk) | calque (tubo de calque) | CAHL-kay (TOO-boh day CAHL-kay) | ||
| caulking gun | pistola de calque | pee-STOH-lah day CAHL-kay | ||
| cement | cemento | say-MEN-toh | ||
| chalk (for chalk line) | polvo | POLE-voh | ||
| chisel (stone) | cincel | seen-SELL | ||
| chisel (wood) | formon or escoplo | for-MONE or ess-COPE-loh | ||
| circuit (electric) | circuito | sir-KWEE-toh | ||
| clamp (C-clamp) | prensa en C | PRANE-sah EN SAY | ||
| closet | armario | ah-MAHR-ee-oh | ||
| collar ties | puentes de cuellar | PWEN-tace day KWAY-yar | ||
| concrete | concreto | con-CRAY-toh | ||
| concrete nails | clavos de acero | KLAH-vos day ah-SAY-roh | ||
| copper | cobre | KOH-bray | ||
| cord (or string, or rope) | cuerda | KWARE-dah | ||
| corner stud | montante esquinera | moan-TAHN-tay ACE-kee-NAY-rah | ||
| corrugated metal roofing | lamina | LAH-mee-nah | ||
| crowbar | palanca or una de barra | pah-LAHN-kah or OON-ah day BAHRRRR-ah | ||
| dead bolt | pestillo | pace-TEE-yoh | ||
| diameter | diametro | DEE-ah-MAY-troh | ||
| door | puerta | PWARE-tah | ||
| doorknob | picaporte or perilla | PEEK-ah-PORE-tay or pay-REE-yah | ||
| drain | desagüe | DACE-ah-gway | ||
| drain line (for water level) | manguera de correr nivel | mahn-GAY-rah day koh-RARE nee-VELL | ||
| drill | taladro | tah-LAH-dro | ||
| drill bits | brocas | BROH-kahss | ||
| drill chuck key | llave de mandril | YAH-vay day mahn-DREEL | ||
| drill press | taladro vertical | tah-LAH-dro vare-tee-CAL | ||
| eighth | octavo | oak-TAH-voh | ||
| electric drill | taladro electrico | tah-LAH-dro ay-LAKE-tree-koh | ||
| electrical outlet | contacto | cone-TAHK-toe | ||
| electrical tape | cinta de ilar | SEEN-tah day ee-LAHR | ||
| entrance | entrada | en-TRAH-dah | ||
| exit | salida | sah-LEE-dah | ||
| expansion bolt | perno de expansion | PAIR-no day ex-PAHN-see-own | ||
| extension cord | extension | ex-TEN-see-own | ||
| fan | ventilador | VEN-tee-lah-DOR | ||
| faucet | grifo | GREE-foh | ||
| file | lima | LEE-mah | ||
| first aid kit (red cross box) | caja de cruz roja | KAH-hah day KROOS ROH-hah | ||
| first floor | planta baja | PLAHN-tah BAH-hah | ||
| flat | plano | PLAH-no | ||
| floor | piso | PEE-so | ||
| fluorescent light0 | tubo fluorescente | TOO-boh FLUOR-ess-SANE-tay | ||
| foot | pie | PEE-ay | ||
| footing | zarpa | ZAHR-pah | ||
| form for floor | forma para el piso | FOR-mah PAH-rah ale PEE-so | ||
| foundation | cimentacion | SEE-men-TAH-see-own | ||
| fuse | fusible | foo-SEE-blay | ||
| gable | buhardilla | BOO-ahr-DEE-yah | ||
| galvanized roof ridge cap | caballete | KAH-bah-YAY-tay | ||
| galvanized roofing | lamina | LAH-mee-nah | ||
| gasket | junta de culata or junta de goma | HOON-tah day koo-LAH-tah or HOON-tah day GO-mah | ||
| gasoline | gasolina | GAHS-oh-LEEN-ah | ||
| generator | generador | HAY-nay-rah-DOR | ||
| girder | viga maestra | VEE-gah mah-ACE-trah | ||
| glass (as in a window) | vidrio | VEE-dree-oh | ||
| glass (to drink from) | vaso | VAH-zoe | ||
| glasses (eyeglasses) | anteojos or gafas or lentes | AHN-tay-OH-hose or GAH-fass or LAYN-tase | ||
| glove | guante | GWAN-tay | ||
| glue | goma | GO-mah | ||
| gravel | graveles | GRAH-vell-ace | ||
| grease | grasa | GRAH-suh | ||
| grease gun | engrassador | en-GRAH-sa-dor | ||
| grout | lechada | lay-CHAH-dah | ||
| hacksaw | arco de segeta or sierra para metales | ARE-koh day say-GAY-tah or see-AY-rah PAH-rah may-TAHL-lace | ||
| hacksaw blades | segetas | say-GAY-tas | ||
| half | medio | MAY-dee-oh | ||
| hallway | pasillo | pah-SEE-yoh | ||
| hammer | martillo | mar-TEE-yoh | ||
| hammer (bricklayer's) | martillo de albañil | mar-TEE-yoh day all-bahn-YEEL | ||
| hand saw | serrucho de mano | say-ROO-choh day MAHN-no | ||
| hardboard | tablero de fibra de madera | tah-BLAY-roh day FEE-brah day mah-day-rah | ||
| hardware store | ferreteria | FAYRRRR-ay-TAY-ree-ah | ||
| height | altura | all-TOO-rah | ||
| hinge (of door) | bisagra de puerta | bee-SAH-grah day PWARE-tah | ||
| hoe | azadon | AH-zah-DONE | ||
| hole | agujero | AH-goo-HAY-roh | ||
| hose | manga | MAHN-gah | ||
| inch | pulgada | pool-GAH-dah | ||
| insulation (or insulator) | aislante | AH-ee-SLAHN-tay | ||
| insulation (roll) | rollo para recubrimiento impermeabililzante | ROH-yoh PAHR-rah ray-KOO-bree-MEE-en-toh eem-PAIR-may-ah-beel-ee-ZAHN-tay | ||
| joist | vigueta | vee-GAY-tah | ||
| key | llave | YAH-vay | ||
| kitchen | cocina | koh-SEEN-ah | ||
| knife | cuchillo | koo-CHEE-yoh | ||
| ladder (extension) | escalera de extension | ACE-kah-LAY-rah day ex-TEN-see-own | ||
| ladder (or stairs) | escalera | ACE-kah-LAY-rah | ||
| ladder (step ladder) | escalera de tijera | ACE-kah-LAY-rah day tee-HAY-rah | ||
| lamp (or bulb) | lampara | LAHM-pah-ra | ||
| lawnmower | cortacesped | KOR-tah-SAY-sped | ||
| length (long) | largo | LAHR-go | ||
| level | nivel | nee-VELL | ||
| light | luz | LOOSE | ||
| light (drop light) | linterna movible | leen-TARE-nah moh-VEE-blay | ||
| light bulb (incandescent) | bombilla incandescente | boam-BEE-yah | ||
| light bulb (or lamp) | lampara | LAHM-pah-ra | ||
| light socket | portalamparas | PORE-tah-LAHM-pah-ras | ||
| lock (door) | cerradura | SAYRRR-ah-DOO-rah | ||
| lock (padlock) | candado | kahn-DAH-do | ||
| mallet (or sledge hammer) | mazo | MAH-zoe | ||
| markers (magic markers) | marcadores | MAHR-kah-DOE-race | ||
| mirror | espejo | ess-PAY-ho | ||
| mixer | mezcladora or revolveradora | MACE-klah-DOE-ro or ray-VOLE-vay-rah-DOE-rah | ||
| mortar | argamasa | AR-gah-MAH-sa | ||
| motor | motor | moh-TORE | ||
| nail | clavo | KLAH-vo | ||
| nailing aprons | pecheras | pay-CHAY-ras | ||
| nut | tuerca or hembra | TWARE-kah or EM-brah | ||
| oil | aceite | ah-SAYee-tay | ||
| paint | pintura | pee-TOO-rah | ||
| paint spray gun | pistola de pintar | pee-STOH-lah day peen-TAHR | ||
| paint tray (for roller) | bandeja de pintura | bahn-day-hah day peen-TOO-rah | ||
| paintbrush | brocha | BROH-shah | ||
| particle board | tablero de aglomerado | tah-BLAY-roh day ah-GLOW-may-RAH-doh | ||
| pencil | lapiz | lah-PIECE | ||
| picks | picos | PEE-kose | ||
| pipe | tubo | TOO-boh | ||
| pipe cap | tapon | tah-PONE | ||
| pipe elbow | codo | KOH-doh | ||
| pipe Tee | conexion en T | koh-NEX-ee-own EN TAY | ||
| pipe trap (sink trap) | sifon | SEE-phone | ||
| pipe U-bend | conexion en U | koh-NEX-ee-own EN OOH | ||
| pipe union | union | OO-nee-own | ||
| pipe Y | conexion en Y | koh-NEX-ee-own EN EE-gree-AY-gah | ||
| plane | cepillo | say-PEE-yoh | ||
| plane (wood) | cepillo de alambre | say-PEE-yoh day ah-LAHM-bray | ||
| plastic | plastico | PLAHS-tee-koh | ||
| plate (bottom of wall) | planta de abajo | PLAHN-tah day ah-BAH-hoh | ||
| plate (double top plate) | sofera doble | soh-FAY-rah DOH-blay | ||
| plate (top of wall) | planta de arriba | PLAHN-tah day ah-RRRee-bah | ||
| pliers | pinzas or alicates | PEEN-sahs or AH-lee-KAH-tace | ||
| plug (electrical) | enchufe | en-CHOO-fay | ||
| plumb bob | plomada | ploh-MAH-dah | ||
| plumb line | cuerda de plomada | KWARE-dah day ploh-MAH-dah | ||
| plunger (drain plunger) | desatrancador | DAY-sah-TRAHN-kah-dor | ||
| plywood | triplay | TREE-ply | ||
| pulley | polea | poh-LAY-ah | ||
| pump | bomba | BOAM-bah | ||
| pump (for tires) | bomba de aire | BOAM-bah day EYE-ray | ||
| putty | masilla | mah-SEE-yah | ||
| putty knife | cuchillo de masilla | koo-CHEE-yoh day mah-SEE-yah | ||
| quarter | quarto | KWAHR-toh | ||
| rafter | cabrio | KAH-bree-oh | ||
| rake | rastrillo | rahs-TREE-yoh | ||
| rasp (wood) | escafina | ES-kah-FEE-nah | ||
| rebar | varilla | vah-REE-yah | ||
| rebar cutter | tijeras para cortar varilla | tee-HAY-ras PAH-rah KOR-tahr vah-REE-yah | ||
| rebar stakes | estacas de varilla | es-TAH-kas day vah-REE-yah | ||
| roll of wire | rollo de alambre | ROH-yoh day ah-LAHM-bray | ||
| roller (paint roller) | rodillo de pintor | roh-DEE-yoh day peen-TORE | ||
| roller cover (paint) | rodillo | roh-DEE-yoh | ||
| roof | techo | TAY-cho | ||
| roof vent | respiradero | race-PEE-rah-DAY-roh | ||
| rope (or cord, or string) | cuerda | KWARE-dah | ||
| router | acanalador | ah-KAHN-ah-lah-dor | ||
| rubber | goma or hule | GO-mah or OO-lay | ||
| rule (or ruler, or concrete screed) | regla (regla para trazar lineas) | RAY-glah (RAY-glah PAH-rah TRAH-sah lee-NAY-as) | ||
| sand | arena | ah-RAY-nah | ||
| sander | lijadora | LEE-hah-DOH-rah | ||
| sandpaper | lija | LEE-hah | ||
| saw | sierra or serrucho | see-AY-rah or say-ROO-cho | ||
| saw (chop) | cierra de chop | see-AY-rah day CHOAP | ||
| saw (circular) | sierra circular | see-AY-rah SIR-koo-lahr | ||
| saw (jig saw) | caladora | KAH-lah-DOE-rah | ||
| saw (miter) | serrucho fijo | say-ROO-choh FEE-oh | ||
| saw (table saw) | sierra circular de mesa | see-AY-rah SIR-koo-lahr day MAY-sah | ||
| saw blades (for skill saw) | discos para serrucho electrico | DEES-kose PAH-rah say-ROO-choh ay-LAKE-tree-koh | ||
| saw horse | burro | BOORRR-oh | ||
| scaffold | andamio | ahn-DAHM-ee-oh | ||
| scraper (paint scraper) | raspador | RAHS-pah-dor | ||
| screed (for concrete) | regla | RAY-glah | ||
| screw | tornillo | tor-NEE-yoh | ||
| screwdriver (flat blade) | destornillador plano | dace-TOR-nee-yah-DOR PLAH-no | ||
| screwdriver (Phillips) | destornillador estrella | dace-TOR-nee-yah-DOR es-TRAY-yah | ||
| second floor | planta alta | PLAHN-tah ALL-tah | ||
| sheathing (exterior wall) | entablado | EN-tah-BLAH-doh | ||
| shingle (asphalt) | teja de asfalto | TAY-hah day ahs-FALL-toh | ||
| shovel | pala | PAH-lah | ||
| shower (shower stall) | ducha | DOO-chah | ||
| sink | lavabo | LAH-vah-boh | ||
| sink | fregadero | FRAY-gah-DAY-roh | ||
| skill saw | sierra de skil | see-AY-rah day SKEEL | ||
| sledge hammer (or mallet) | mazo | MAH-zoe | ||
| snake (plumber's snake) | sonda destapacaños | SOWN-dah dace-TAHP-ah-CAHN-yose | ||
| soap | jabon | hah-BONE | ||
| solder | soldadura | SOLE-dah-DOO-rah | ||
| soldering gun | pistola para soldar | pee-STOH-lah PAH-rah sole-DAHR | ||
| soldering iron | hierro para soldar | ee-AYRRR-oh PAH-rah sole-DAHR | ||
| soldering torch | soplete | soh-PLAY-tay | ||
| spark plug | bujilla | boo-HEE-yah | ||
| sprayer | pulverizador | pool-VARE-ee-zah-dor | ||
| square | cuadro | KWAH-droh | ||
| square (combination square) | escuadra de combinaciones | es-KWAH-drah day COAM-bee-NAH-see-own-ace | ||
| stairs (or ladder) | escalera | ACE-kah-LAY-rah | ||
| stakes | estacas | es-TAH-kas | ||
| steel | acero | ah-SAY-ro | ||
| step (of ladder or stairs) | escalon | ACE-kah-lone | ||
| step stool | escalerilla | ACE-kah-lay-REE-yah | ||
| stone | piedra | pee-AY-drah | ||
| story (of a building) | planta | PLAHN-tah | ||
| string (nylon) | cuerda de hilo | KWARE-dah day EE-loh | ||
| string (or cord, or rope) | cuerda | KWARE-dah | ||
| stud (2 x 4 x 8') | pie derecho | PEE-ay day-RAY-cho | ||
| stud (short or "cripple") | atravesano | AH-trah-vay-SAH-no | ||
| styrofoam | hielo seco | ee-AY-loh SECK-oh | ||
| switch (or breaker) | interruptor | EEN-tay-ROOP-tor | ||
| switch plate | placa de interruptor | PLAH-kah day EEN-tay-ROOP-tor | ||
| table | mesa | MAY-sah | ||
| tacks | tachuellas | tah-CHWAY-yas | ||
| tape measure | cinta metrica (or just cinta) | SEEN-tah MAY-tree-kah (or just SEEN-tah) | ||
| tar paper | papel de brea | pah-PALE day BRAY-ah | ||
| tarp (tarpaulin) | lona azul | LOAN-ah ah-ZOOL | ||
| third | tercero | tare-SAY-roh | ||
| thread cutter | rosca para taraja | ROSE-kay PAH-ra tah-RAH-hah | ||
| threshold (door) | umbral | OOM-brall | ||
| tile | teja | TAY-hah | ||
| tin snips | tijeras para lamina | tee-HAY-ras PAH-rah LAH-mee-nah | ||
| toilet (fixture) | retrete | ray-TRAY-tay | ||
| tools | herramientas | AY-rrrah-MEE-en-tahs | ||
| towel bar | toallero | TOW-ah-YAY-roh | ||
| trowel | llana or paleta | YAH-nah or pah-LAY-tah | ||
| trusses (roof truss assemblies) | cabrillas or armaduras del techo | kah-BREE-us or AHR-ma-DURE-us dale TAY-cho | ||
| tubing cutter | cortatubos | KOR-tah-TOO-bose | ||
| valve (shutoff) | llave de paso or valvula | YAH-vay day PAH-so or VALL-voo-lah | ||
| vanity (cabinet) | botiquin | BOW-tee-kween | ||
| vise | torno de banco | TORE-noh day BAHN-koh | ||
| visegrip | pinza de presion or alicates de pression | PEEN-sah day PRAY-see-own or AH-lee-KAH-tace day PRAY-see-own | ||
| visqueen (polyethylene sheet) | hule para piso | OO-lay PAH-ra PEE-so | ||
| voltmeter (multimeter) | voltimetro | VOLE-tee-MAY-troh | ||
| wall | pared | pah-RED | ||
| wash hands | lave los manos | LAH-vay loase MAHN-ose | ||
| washer (flat) | arandela simple | AH-ran-DAY-lah SEEM-play | ||
| washer (lock) | arandela de presion comun | AH-ran-DAY-lah day PRAY-see-own koh-MOON | ||
| water | agua | AH-gwah | ||
| water-heater | calentador de agua | KAH-len-tah-DOOR day AH-gwah | ||
| welding machine (arc welder) | maquina de soldar electrica | mah-KEEN-ah day sole-DAHR ay-LAKE-tree-kah | ||
| wheelbarrow | carretilla | KAHRRR-ay-TEE-yah | ||
| width (wide) | ancho | AHN-cho | ||
| window | ventana | ven-TAH-nah | ||
| window shim | regla para ventana | REG-lah PAH-rah ven-TAH-nah | ||
| window sill | alfeizar | all-FAY-ee-zar | ||
| window stop | vista de ventana | VEES-tah day ven-TAH-nah | ||
| wing nuts | tuercas de orejas or tuercas de mariposas | TWARE-kahs day oh-RAY-has or TWARE-kahs day MAR-ee-POH-sas | ||
| wire (electrical) | cable electrico | KAH-blay ay-LAKE-tree-coh | ||
| wire (non-electrical) | alambre | ah-LAHM-bray | ||
| wire brush | cepillo de alambre | say-PEE-yoh day ah-LAHM-bray | ||
| wire cutters | pinza de punta | PEEN-zah day POON-tah | ||
| wire mesh | rollo maya | ROH-yoh MAH-yah | ||
| wood | madera | mah-DARE-ah | ||
| wood stakes | estacas de madera | es-TAHK-as day mah-DARE-ah | ||
| wrench | llave | YAH-vay | ||
| wrench (box end) | llave de estrias comun | YAH-vay day ACE-tree-us koh-MOON | ||
| wrench (combination) | llave combinada | YAH-vay COMB-ee-NAH-dah | ||
| wrench (crescent) | llave perica | YAH-vay PAY-ree-kah | ||
| wrench (open end) | llave de tuercas española | YAH-vay day TWARE-kahs ES-pahn-YOH-lah | ||
| wrench (pipe wrench) | llave inglesa | YAH-vay een-GLAY-sah | ||