una docena de huevos
/una doθena de webos/from spelling rules
The English phrase "a dozen eggs" is translated into Spanish as una docena de huevos.
This phrase is used to describe a specific group or set of twelve eggs.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of una (a/one), docena (dozen), de (of) and huevos (eggs).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, the noun docena must be followed by the preposition de before the noun it is quantifying.
Did you know?
- The word huevos is often used in Spanish slang to describe someone's courage or audacity, regardless of any connection to eggs.
- In many Spanish-speaking markets, you might find that people ask for media docena instead of 'six' eggs, treating the 'half-dozen' as a standard unit of measurement.
- The word docena comes from the Old Spanish word dozena, which was the feminine form of dozeno, meaning 'twelfth'.
Examples in context
- Necesito una docena de huevos.I need a dozen eggs.This sentence is useful for expressing a personal need for una docena de huevos.Tatoeba #6819212 by arh, translation #9193518 by DJ_Saidez
- Él compró una docena de huevos.He bought a dozen eggs.This sentence is useful for describing the action of someone buying una docena de huevos.Tatoeba #483120 by Eckhardtgabriel, translation #304598 by CK
- Tom quiere una docena de huevos.Tom wants a dozen eggs.This sentence is useful for stating that someone wants una docena de huevos.Tatoeba #7315679 by Shishir, translation #7306671 by CK
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are checking the kitchen supplies.
- JavierSofía, ¿cuántos huevos nos quedan?Sofía, how many eggs do we have left?
- SofíaSolo tenemos dos, necesitamos una docena de huevos.We only have two, we need a dozen eggs.
- JavierEstá bien, yo iré a comprarlos.Alright, I will go buy them.
- SofíaGracias, Javier, eres muy amable.Thank you, Javier, you are very kind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, docena, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
