alfiler
nounCEFR B2
What does “alfiler” mean in English?
a short, thin, pointed piece of metal used for fastening fabric or paper
Example sentences
La costurera sujetó el dobladillo con varios alfileres antes de coserlo definitivamente.
The seamstress pinned the hem with several pins before sewing it permanently.
El acuerdo entre los socios estaba sujeto con alfileres y se rompió a la primera crisis.
The agreement between the partners was held together with pins and broke at the first crisis.
How to use it
El alfiler (noun, masculine) means a straight pin, used in sewing to hold fabric temporarily. Common phrase: prenderse con alfileres (to pin something together — also used figuratively for something makeshift or fragile: un plan sujeto con alfileres). Don't confuse with aguja (needle, which has an eye and is used for stitching).
Common mistake
Alfiler (pin, for fastening) is not aguja (needle, for sewing through fabric) — they are different tools. The figurative expression sujeto con alfileres describes something fragile or improvised, not literally pinned.
Reference
This entry’s teaching guidance follows Plan Curricular del Instituto Cervantes (Instituto Cervantes), B2 Nociones específicas: objetos cotidia.