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"Manivela" is a noun which is often translated as "crank", and "pomo" is a noun which is often translated as "knob". Learn more about the difference between "manivela" and "pomo" below.
la manivela(
mah
-
nee
-
beh
-
lah
)
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
feminine noun
a. crank
Esta manivela no gira bien; parece estar rota.This crank doesn't turn properly. It looks like it's broken.
b. handle
Tiene que dar vueltas a la manivela para arrancar la máquina.You have to turn the handle to make the machine start.
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el pomo(
poh
-
moh
)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. knob
Creí que había perdido mis llaves, pero las había dejado en el pomo de la puerta.I thought I had lost my keys, but I had left them in the doorknob.
b. handle
No he podido abrir el cajón del escritorio porque el pomo se desprendió.I haven't been able to open the desk drawer because the handle fell off.
a. pommel
Esa espada antigua tiene el pomo de plata incrustado en oro.That antique sword has a silver pommel inlaid with gold.
3. (cylindrical container)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. tube
Tenemos que comprar pasta de dientes; el pomo está casi vacío.We need to buy toothpaste; the tube is almost empty.
4. (bottle)
Regionalism used in Cuba
(Cuba)
Regionalism used in Ecuador
(Ecuador)
Regionalism used in Puerto Rico
(Puerto Rico)
(River Plate)
a. bottle
Llena este pomo de agua para ir a echarle a la gente en el carnaval.Fill this bottle with water to throw at people at the carnival.
b. spray bottle
Salimos a ver el desfile en el carnaval y nos mojaron con pomos de agua.We went to see the carnival parade, and we were soaked with spray bottles.
c. spray (for spraying perfume)
Antes de salir, ella siempre se pone perfume de ese pomo.Before she goes out, she always puts on perfume from that spray.
d. scent bottle (for spraying perfume)
Mi hermana rompió el pomo y el cuarto huele a puro perfume.My sister broke a scent bottle and the room reeks of perfume.
5. (nursing bottle)
Regionalism used in Cuba
(Cuba)
a. bottle
La bebé tiró su pomo.The baby dropped her bottle.
b. baby bottle
¿Tenemos que esterilizar el pomo antes de cada toma?Do we need to sterilize the baby bottle before every feed?
c. feeding bottle
¿Por qué llora el bebé? - Tiene hambre. ¿Dónde está su pomo?Why's the baby crying? - He's hungry. Where's his feeding bottle?
6. (makeup utensil)
Regionalism used in Colombia
(Colombia)
a. powder puff
Si usas ese pomo sucio para aplicar tu maquillaje, te saldrá un sarpullido.If you use that dirty powder puff to apply your makeup, your skin will break out.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.