"Astilla" is a noun.
/asˈtiʝa/
"Astilla" refers to a small, sharp piece of wood or other material that is broken off from a larger piece. In a general sense, it denotes any fragment or shard that might cause injury. In medical contexts, "astilla" can refer to a splinter lodged in the skin. This term is commonly used in both written and spoken Spanish, though it is more frequently encountered in oral language due to its practical, everyday application.
Me entró una astilla en el dedo mientras trabajaba en la madera.
I got a splinter in my finger while working with wood.
La astilla del cristal causó un corte en mi pie.
The shard of glass caused a cut on my foot.
While "astilla" is not a core component of many idiomatic expressions, it can appear in context to describe situations involving injury or trouble. Here are a few expressions that include "astilla":
Example: Tienes que sacar la astilla de tu pie antes de que se infecte.
You have to remove the splinter from your foot before it gets infected.
"Astilla que no duele, no es astilla"
A splinter that doesn't hurt is not a splinter - This phrase is used to express that if something doesn't cause you trouble or pain, then it's not significant.
Example: Si no te molesta, olvídalo. Astilla que no duele, no es astilla.
If it doesn't bother you, forget it. A splinter that doesn't hurt is not a splinter.
"Lo que no te mata te hace más fuerte, como una astilla"
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, like a splinter - This can suggest that small troubles can make us tougher.
The word "astilla" originates from the Latin "astilla," which also meant a splinter or chip. The roots relate to "asta," or stick, indicating its connection to wood and the act of splitting or breaking.