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"Hilo" is a form of "hilo", a noun which is often translated as "thread". "Aguja" is a noun which is often translated as "needle". Learn more about the difference between "hilo" and "aguja" below.
el hilo(
ee
-
loh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (strand)
a. thread
El viejo suéter tiene hilos colgando por todas partes.The old sweater has threads hanging out everywhere.
b. yarn (for knitting)
El juguete favorito del gatito es la bola de hilo.The kitten's favorite toy is the ball of yarn.
a. wire
Para estar seguro, vamos a arreglar todos los hilos descubiertos.To be safe, we are going to fix all exposed wires.
a. trickle
Después de la lluvia, un hilo de agua entró por debajo de la puerta.After the rain, a trickle of water came in under the door.
4. (cloth)
a. linen
Él compró una camisa ligera de hilo para llevar de vacaciones.He bought a light linen shirt to wear on vacation.
5. (sequence)
a. thread (figurative)
No pudo seguir el hilo de la conversación porque las chicas hablaban muy rápido.He couldn't follow the thread of the conversation because the girls spoke so quickly.
la aguja(
ah
-
goo
-
hah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. needle
Hay que tener una mano estable para enhebrar una aguja.You need a steady hand to thread a needle.
2. (syringe)
a. needle
Odio vacunarme porque le tengo miedo a las agujas.I hate getting vaccinated because I'm scared of needles.
3. (of a clock)
a. hand
Cuando la aguja grande alcance el seis, serán las tres y media.When the big hand reaches the six, it will be three thirty.
a. pointer
Si la aguja de la brújula apunta hacia el norte significa que estamos al este.If the compass's pointer is pointing north, that means we're east.
