plancha
/ˈplant͡ʃa/feminine
In Spanish, 'clothes iron' is translated as plancha. Wiktionary also lists hierro and planchatelas.
Meaning: appliance for pressing clothes (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| plancha | /ˈplant͡ʃa/ | feminine |
| hierro | /ˈʝero/ | colloquial, masculine |
| planchatelas | /plant͡ʃatelas/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| plancharopa | /plant͡ʃaɾopa/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term refers to the appliance used for pressing clothes. To perform the action of ironing, the verb planchar is used. If you are referring specifically to a steam iron, you should use the phrase plancha de vapor.
Which one should you use?
plancha is the standard feminine noun. hierro is a masculine, colloquial term. planchatelas and plancharopa are also masculine forms used for the appliance.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
hierro is considered colloquial.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the word plancha is often used to refer to both the clothes iron and the ironing board.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun plancha is feminine and requires feminine articles, such as la or una.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈplantʃa/
Did you know?
- The term plancha actually traces its lineage back to the Greek word phalanga, which referred to a row or a phalanx of soldiers.
- In slang, planchar can mean to fail or fall flat, similar to the English expression 'to flop'.
- In some contexts, plancha refers to a grill or a flat cooking surface. This means you can use the same word for pressing a shirt and searing a steak.
Examples in context
- Necesito comprar una planchaI need to buy a clothes iron
- La plancha está sobre la mesa.The iron is on the table.
- Necesito comprar una plancha nueva.I need to buy a new iron.
- ¿Dónde guardas la plancha?Where do you keep the iron?
Example conversation
María and Daniel are in the laundry room.
- María¿Puedes pasarme la plancha, Daniel?Can you pass me the iron, Daniel?
- DanielSí, aquí tienes la plancha.Yes, here is the iron.
- MaríaGracias, la plancha está muy caliente.Thanks, the iron is very hot.
- DanielTen cuidado al usarla.Be careful when using it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clothes iron” translations and entries plancha, hierro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hierro, plancha, CC BY-SA 4.0.
