sacar astilla (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

• The phrase "sacar astilla" functions as a verb phrase in Spanish.

Phonetic Transcription

• /saˈkaɾ asˈtiʎa/

Translation Options into English

• "to take out splinter"
• "to remove splinter"

Meaning and Usage

• The phrase "sacar astilla" means to remove a splinter from the skin. It is used in contexts where a small, sharp piece of wood (or sometimes other materials) has penetrated the skin and needs to be extracted. This phrase is commonly used in both oral and written contexts, particularly in medical or casual discussions about minor injuries. The frequency of use can be moderate, as it relates mainly to specific incidents rather than everyday conversation.

Example Sentences

1. Mi hijo se lastimó y yo tuve que sacar astilla.
   My son hurt himself and I had to remove a splinter.

2. Es importante saber cómo sacar astilla correctamente para no causar más dolor.
   It is important to know how to remove a splinter correctly so as not to cause more pain.

3. Ella se quejaba porque no podía sacar astilla sola.
   She complained because she couldn't take out the splinter by herself.

Idiomatic Expressions

The phrase "sacar astilla" does not frequently appear in idiomatic expressions, but it's useful to know a few related idioms involving "astilla," which means "splinter":

1. A cada uno le toca su propia astilla.
   Everyone has to deal with their own splinter. (Meaning that everyone has their own problems to deal with.)

2. Sacar la astilla del ojo ajeno.
   To remove the splinter from someone else's eye. (This means that we tend to criticize others without noticing our own faults.)

3. No hay que llorar sobre la astilla.
   There’s no crying over the splinter. (This indicates that one should not lament over something that has already happened or is minor.)

Etymology

• The word "sacar" comes from the Latin sacāre, which means "to take out." The term "astilla" originates from the Latin astīlla, which means "small piece of wood" or "splinter."

Synonyms and Antonyms

• Synonyms:
• Retirar (to remove)

• Extraer (to extract)

• Antonyms:

• Insertar (to insert)
• Dejar (to leave)