Cabinet Handles in Spanish
Jun 05, 2025
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Here's a concise guide to cabinet handles in Spanish, including key terms, regional variations, and practical phrases for shopping or installation:
🔑 Key Spanish Terms for Cabinet Handles
| English Term | Spanish Translation | Regional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet handle | Tirador (most common) | Universal term |
| Knob | Pomo (Spain), Perilla (Latin America) | Avoid "perilla" in Argentina (means goatee!) |
| Pull handle | Manija (LatAm), Tirador de barra | Mexico often uses "manija" |
| Backplate | Placa base or placa de soporte | |
| Screws | Tornillos | Specify length: "tornillos de [mm] milímetros" |
| Drawer pull | Tirador de cajón |
🌎 Regional Variations
Mexico/Central America:
Manija = Pull handle
Pomo = Knob (less common; perilla preferred)
Spain:
Tirador = Any handle/pull
Pomo = Knob (e.g., "pomo de cristal" = glass knob)
Argentina/Uruguay:
Picaporte (often for door handles, but used for cabinets too)
Perilla = Knob (not "pomo")
🛒 Phrases for Shopping
"Busco tiradores para cocina en estilo mexicano."
(I'm looking for Mexican-style kitchen handles.)
"¿Tienen pomos de cerámica con motivos de Talavera?"
(Do you have ceramic knobs with Talavera designs?)
"Necesito tornillos de 3.5 cm para estos tiradores."
(I need 3.5cm screws for these handles.)
"¿Venden placas base para proteger la madera?"
(Do you sell backplates to protect the wood?)
⚙️ Installation Terms
Drill holes: Taladrar agujeros
Screwdriver: Destornillador
Measure distance between holes: Medir la distancia entre agujeros
Standard metric: "centímetros" (e.g., 96 mm = 9.6 cm)
Align: Alinear
📏 Sizing Guide (Metric)
Knob diameter: Diámetro del pomo (e.g., 3–4 cm)
Pull length: Longitud del tirador (e.g., 10–15 cm)
Hole spacing: Distancia entre agujeros (e.g., 96 mm, 128 mm)
🧰 Materials in Spanish
Wrought iron → Hierro forjado
Ceramic → Cerámica
Brass → Latón
Wood → Madera
Tin → Hojalata
🪛 Pro Tip
In Spain, "asidero" can also mean "handle" but is more formal/less common for cabinets. Stick with "tirador" or "pomo" for clarity.
📍 Example in Context
"Instalé tiradores de hierro forjado en los cajones de la cocina. Los pomos de cerámica van en las puertas superiores."
(I installed wrought iron pulls on the kitchen drawers. The ceramic knobs go on the upper doors.)
Remember: Spanish hardware terms vary widely by country. If unsure, describe the handle visually:
"Una pieza de metal para abrir gabinetes, con dos agujeros para tornillos."
(A metal piece for opening cabinets, with two holes for screws.) 🔧