How To Say Pen In Spanish

Are you learning Spanish and wondering how to say "pen" in Spanish? You have come to the right place! In this article, we will cover the meaning of "pen" in Spanish, how to translate it, and any regional differences you should be aware of.

Fast track your vocabulary with the 10.000 most common Spanish words!

What is "Pen" in Spanish?

The word for "pen" in Spanish is "bolígrafo" (IPA: /boliˈɣɾafo/). It is a masculine noun that is commonly used throughout the Spanish-speaking world. In some countries, such as Mexico and Colombia, the word "pluma" is also used to refer to a pen, but this word can also mean "feather" in other contexts. 

4 eBooks of the Spanish Frequency Dictionaries series by MostUsedWords

Meaning of "Pen" in Spanish

"Bolígrafo" is a common word that is used to refer to a writing instrument with ink. It can also be used to refer to a ballpoint pen specifically. In Spanish, there are other words for pens that are specific to their type, such as "pluma estilográfica" (IPA: /ˈpluma estiloˈɣɾafika/) for a fountain pen or "marcador" (IPA: /mar.kaˈðor/) for a marker.

Translating "Pen" to Spanish

If you want to translate the word "pen" to Spanish, the most common word you'll want to use is "bolígrafo". Here are a few different ways you might translate "pen" depending on the context:

• Necesito un bolígrafo.

(I need a pen.)

• Perdí mi bolígrafo.

(I lost my pen.)

• ¿Me puedes prestar un bolígrafo?

("Can you lend me a pen?")

• Prefiero escribir con una pluma estilográfica.

(I prefer to write with a fountain pen.)

• Necesito un marcador rojo.

(I need a red marker.)

Regional Differences

As mentioned earlier, the word "pluma" (IPA: /plu.ma/) is also used in some countries to refer to a pen. In addition, in some Latin American countries, the word "esfero" is also used. It is important to note that while these words may be understood in other Spanish-speaking countries, they are not as commonly used and may be considered regionalisms.

You can find the paperbacks on Amazon (we have frequency dictionaries for beginners, intermediates, advanced and near-fluent students), or get the eBooks directly from us here. (They are affiliate links. That means we might get a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking these links, at no extra cost to you.) 

How to Say Pen in Spanish: Sample Sentences

Here are five sample sentences that show you how to say "pen" in Spanish:

• ¿Dónde puedo comprar un bolígrafo?

(Where can I buy a pen?)

• No tengo un esfero para firmar el documento.

(I don't have a pen to sign the document.)

• ¿Me puedes prestar una pluma?

(Can you lend me a pen?)

• Necesito un marcador negro para hacer una lista.

(I need a black marker to make a list.)

• Este bolígrafo no funciona.

(This pen doesn't work.)

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you are looking for the most common way to say "pen" in Spanish, you will want to use the word "bolígrafo". However, be aware that there are regional differences in the use of this word and other words, such as "pluma" and "esfero". Whether you are learning Spanish for travel, work, or just for fun, knowing how to say "pen" is an important vocabulary word to have in your arsenal.