hierro
/ˈʝero/
The Spanish word for iron is hierro.
hierro refers to the chemical element Fe. If you want to describe something made of iron, you might use the adjectives férreo, férrico or ferroso.
Meaning: to pass an iron over clothing (verb)
Which one should you use?
While hierro is the noun for the metal or the tool, the verb for the action of ironing clothes is planchar. Additionally, the physical appliance used to iron clothes is called a plancha.
Is it said differently in some regions?
fierro is a common regional variant for the noun iron used in certain parts of Latin America, including Mexico and parts of the Andean region.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʝero/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the noun hierro when they intend to use the verb 'to iron' (clothing).
Did you know?
- The Spanish word for the ironing tool, plancha, is the same word used for a 'griddle' used to cook tortillas or meats.
- The verb planchar is used not only for clothes but also in hair styling to describe the process of straightening hair with a flat iron.
- Hierro is a doublet of fierro, meaning both words evolved from the same Latin root ferrum but took different paths into modern Spanish.
Examples in context
- El hierro es duro.Iron is hard.This sentence describes the hardness of hierro.Tatoeba #1132106 by Shishir, translation #278746 by Zifre
- ¿Está hecho de hierro?Is it made of iron?This sentence asks if an object is made of hierro.Tatoeba #2740100 by emanuel81, translation #2738993 by sharptoothed
- Esta jarra es de hierro.This vase is made of iron.This sentence states that a vase is made of hierro.Tatoeba #1675722 by marcelostockle, translation #60046 by CS
- El hierro es fuerte.The iron is strong
- El carro está hecho de fierro.The car is made of iron
- ¿Dónde está la plancha de ropa?Where is the iron for clothes?
- Esa puerta está hecha de fierro.That door is made of iron.
- 46 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are preparing for a formal party.
- DanielTengo que pasar el hierro a mi camisa.I have to iron my shirt.
- MaríaYo ya pasé el hierro a mi vestido.I already ironed my dress.
- Daniel¿Dónde está el hierro, María?Where is the iron, María?
- MaríaEstá en el cuarto de lavado, Daniel.It is in the laundry room, Daniel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hierro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hierro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
