una palabra
/una palabɾa/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "a word" is una palabra.
una palabra refers to a single distinct element of speech or writing.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun palabra is feminine, so the indefinite article must be una rather than un. The plural form of una palabra is unas palabras.
How do you pronounce it?
/una palabɾa/
Did you know?
- While palabra means 'word', it is also used to mean 'promise'. If someone says tengo mi palabra, they are not talking about vocabulary but stating 'I give you my word'.
- The word palabra originates from the Greek word for 'comparison', suggesting that a 'word' was originally viewed as a way to compare or explain things.
- Spanish has a specific term, palabreo, which refers to the act of talking a lot or using excessive words to persuade or deceive someone.
Examples in context
- No dijo una palabra.He did not say a word.This sentence shows how to use una palabra in a negative context.Tatoeba #5035177 by don_ramon, translation #5033903 by AlanF_US
- ¿Qué es una palabra?What is a word?This sentence uses una palabra to ask for a definition.Tatoeba #10091185 by manufrutos, translation #8738165 by shekitten
- Esta es una palabra.This is a word.This sentence uses una palabra to identify a specific unit of language.Tatoeba #13718539 by ecorralest101, translation #7672429 by Hideki143
- ¿Cómo se dice "hello" en español?How do you say "hello" in Spanish?
- Dígame cómo se dice "thank you" en español.Tell me how to say "thank you" in Spanish.
- 90 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are studying for a Spanish exam.
- Lucía¿Sabes qué significa esta palabra?Do you know what this word means?
- JavierNo, no entiendo esa palabra.No, I don't understand that word.
- LucíaEs una palabra muy difícil.It is a very difficult word.
- JavierDéjame buscar la palabra en el diccionario.Let me look up the word in the dictionary.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries palabra, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
