atornillar (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Verb

Phonetic Transcription

/atoɾniˈʝaɾ/

Translation Options into English

• To screw
• To bolt
• To fasten

Meaning and Usage

The verb atornillar refers to the action of fastening or attaching something with a screw. It is commonly used in both specialized and everyday contexts, especially in construction, woodworking, and DIY projects. The term is frequently encountered in both oral and written Spanish, though it may appear more in technical manuals and instructional texts.

Frequency of Use

Atornillar is relatively common in everyday conversations related to home improvement, construction, and repairs.

Example Sentences

1. Voy a atornillar esta estantería a la pared.
   I am going to screw this shelf to the wall.

2. Es importante atornillar bien las piezas para que la mesa no se tambalee.
   It is important to screw the pieces tightly so the table doesn’t wobble.

3. Si no atornillas el mueble correctamente, podría desarmarse.
   If you don’t screw the furniture properly, it could come apart.

Idiomatic Expressions

While atornillar does not have many idiomatic expressions, it is often used in contexts not strictly related to its literal meaning. Below are some expressions and phrases where it carries a metaphorical meaning or nuance.

Example Idiomatic Sentences

1. No te ahogas en un vaso de agua, atornilla todo lo que puedas para mantener la calma.
   Don't drown in a glass of water, screw everything you can to stay calm.
   (This means to stabilize your situation or keep things under control.)

2. En este proyecto, hay que atornillar bien las ideas antes de presentarlas.
   In this project, you have to screw down the ideas well before presenting them.
   (This means to solidify or finalize your ideas.)

3. A veces, atornillar los problemas no significa arreglarlos, solo los deja más firmes.
   Sometimes, screwing down problems doesn't mean fixing them; it just makes them more entrenched.
   (This suggests that temporarily fixing issues may exacerbate them in the long run.)

Etymology

The verb atornillar derives from the Spanish noun tornillo, which means "screw". The prefix a- is often used in Spanish to indicate direction or the way something is done, indicating the action of applying a screw.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms

• Fijar (to fix)
• Ajustar (to adjust)
• Ensartar (to fasten)

Antonyms

• Desatornillar (to unscrew)
• Soltar (to release)
• Deshacer (to undo)

Overall, atornillar is a key term in both technical and everyday language, primarily associated with physical fastening methods and sometimes metaphorically used in various expressions.