The Spanish Word for Sew
The verb "to sew" in Spanish is coser. You pronounce it "koh-SEHR." The word comes from Latin and is used the same way in Spanish as "sew" is in English — to join fabric with needle and thread.
When you conjugate coser in the present tense, it changes based on who is doing the sewing. "Yo coso" means "I sew," "tú coses" means "you sew" (informal), and "ella cose" means "she sews." If you are speaking to someone formally or about a group, you would say "usted cose" (you sew, formal) or "ellos cosen" (they sew).
The past tense follows a regular pattern. "Cosí" means "I sewed," and "cosimos" means "we sewed." These regular conjugations make coser one of the easier Spanish verbs to learn if you already know the basic pattern for -ER verbs.
Key Takeaways
- The Spanish verb for "to sew" is coser, pronounced "koh-SEHR."
- Related words include costura (seam or sewing), aguja (needle), and hilo (thread).
- The verb conjugates regularly in most tenses, so once you learn the -ER pattern, you can use it in past, present, and future.
- Spanish speakers use coser for hand sewing and machine sewing alike — context tells the difference.
Common Sewing Words in Spanish
When you talk about sewing in Spanish, you will need a few related words. Costura means "seam" or "sewing" as a noun — you might say "una costura recta" (a straight seam). Aguja is "needle," and hilo is "thread." These three words appear constantly in sewing conversations.
Máquina de coser is "sewing machine." If you are asking someone where the sewing machine is, you would say "¿Dónde está la máquina de coser?" The word puntada means "stitch," so "una puntada pequeña" is "a small stitch." Botón is "button," and cremallera is "zipper" — both common things you sew onto garments.
How to Use Coser in Sentences
To say "I am sewing a button," you would say "Estoy cosiendo un botón." The present progressive form uses the gerund cosiendo (sewing). This is the form you use when you want to emphasize that the action is happening right now.
If you want to say "I sewed the seam yesterday," you say "Cosí la costura ayer." The past tense cosí is straightforward because coser is a regular verb. For future tense, "I will sew this tomorrow" becomes "Coseré esto mañana."
In commands, if you want to tell someone to sew something, you say "¡Cose esto!" (Sew this!) for informal address, or "¡Cosa esto!" for formal address. These command forms are useful if you are teaching someone or asking for help with a sewing project.
Differences Between Coser and Similar Words
Spanish has other words that might sound similar but mean different things. Cocer (pronounced the same way) means "to cook" or "to bake," so be careful with spelling. The difference is one letter — coser has an S, and cocer has a C. Context usually makes the meaning clear, but in writing, the distinction matters.
Remendar means "to patch" or "to mend," which is more specific than coser. If you are patching a hole in jeans, you might use remendar, though coser works too. Zurcir means "to darn," which is a particular mending technique for socks and stockings. These words are more specialized, but Spanish speakers will understand coser in almost any sewing context.
Regional Variations and Informal Speech
The word coser is used the same way across Spanish-speaking countries, from Spain to Mexico to Argentina. There are no major regional variations in the verb itself, though some countries may have different words for sewing supplies or techniques.
In informal speech, Spanish speakers might shorten phrases or use slang. For example, someone might say "voy a coser" (I'm going to sew) instead of the more formal "voy a realizar una costura" (I am going to perform a seam). The basic verb coser remains constant and is understood everywhere Spanish is spoken.
Sewing Vocabulary Reference Table
| English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| To sew | Coser | koh-SEHR |
| Seam | Costura | kos-TOO-rah |
| Needle | Aguja | ah-GOO-hah |
| Thread | Hilo | EE-loh |
| Sewing machine | Máquina de coser | MAH-kee-nah deh koh-SEHR |
| Stitch | Puntada | poon-TAH-dah |
| Button | Botón | boh-TOHN |
| Zipper | Cremallera | kreh-mah-YEH-rah |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is coser used for both hand sewing and machine sewing?
Yes. Coser covers both. If you need to specify, you can say "coser a mano" (sew by hand) or "coser a máquina" (sew by machine), but coser alone works in either case. Spanish speakers understand the context from what you are talking about.
What is the difference between coser and remendar?
Coser is the general verb for sewing. Remendar is more specific — it means to patch or mend something that is broken or torn. You can use coser for any sewing task, but remendar emphasizes repair. Both are correct; remendar is just more precise.
How do I ask someone to teach me to sew in Spanish?
You could say "¿Me enseñas a coser?" (Will you teach me to sew?) or "Quiero aprender a coser" (I want to learn to sew). Both are natural and polite ways to ask for sewing instruction from a Spanish speaker.
What does costura mean by itself?
Costura can mean "seam," "sewing," or "needlework" depending on context. "La costura es mi hobby" means "Sewing is my hobby." "Una costura fuerte" means "a strong seam." The word works as both a noun for the activity and for the physical result of sewing.