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"Alicate" is a form of "alicate", a noun which is often translated as "pliers". "Pinzas" is a form of "pinzas", a plural noun which is often translated as "tweezers". Learn more about the difference between "alicate" and "pinzas" below.
el alicate(
ah
-
lee
-
kah
-
teh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (tool)
a. pliers
Corté el cable rojo con el alicate de la caja de herramientas.I cut the red cable with the pliers from the toolbox.
2. (tool for nails) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. nail clippers
Para arreglarme las uñas prefiero los alicates a la lima.I prefer to groom my nails with nail clippers rather than with a fingernail file.
las pinzas(
peen
-
sahs
)A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
a. tweezers
Me saqué el vello del entrecejo con las pinzas.I plucked the hair between my eyebrows with tweezers.
2. (tool)
a. pliers
El carpintero quitó la llave rota de la cerradura con las pinzas.The carpenter removed the broken key from the lock with pliers.
3. (culinary)
a. tongs
Con unas pinzas, voltea el pollo en el aceite caliente.Use tongs to turn over the chicken in the hot oil.
4. (medicine)
la pinza
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. clothespin (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Colgué la ropa lavada con pinzas de madera.I hung the washed clothes with wooden clothespins.
b. clothes peg (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Las sábanas se cayeron del tendedero porque no usaste pinzas.The sheets fell from the clothesline because you didn't use clothes pegs.
a. bobby pin (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Necesito una pinza porque no veo con este flequillo en los ojos.I need a bobby pin because I can't see with these bangs in my eyes.
b. hair grip (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El viento me está soplando el cabello en la cara. ¿Tienes una pinza?The wind is blowing my hair in my face. Do you have a hair grip?
