medalla
/meˈdaʝa/feminine
The Spanish word for medal is medalla.
A medalla refers to a stamped metal disc. You can specify the type of medal by using the structure medalla de [metal], such as medalla de oro for a gold medal.
Meaning: stamped metal disc (noun)
Which one should you use?
While medalla is the standard term, you may encounter medallita to refer to a little medal or condecoración when referring to a formal decoration or honor.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the word presea can be used as an alternative to medalla to mean medal.
How does it change in a sentence?
Medalla is a feminine noun and takes the feminine article la (e.g., la medalla). The plural form is medallas.
How do you pronounce it?
/meˈdaʝa/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a medallita is often a small religious medal worn as a protective amulet around the neck rather than a sporting trophy.
- The Italian word from which medalla is derived, medaglia, originally referred to 'half a denarius', linking the concept of a medal to the idea of a coin being split in two.
Examples in context
- Te mereces una medalla.You deserve a medal.The first sentence uses medalla to express someone deserving a medal.Tatoeba #1619803 by Shishir, translation #1588737 by Spamster
- Gané una medalla en 2003.I won a medal in 2003.The second sentence uses medalla to describe winning a medal in a specific year.Tatoeba #3769971 by Seael, translation #3120543 by CN
- Yo gané la medalla de oro.I won the gold medal.The third sentence uses medalla to specify winning a gold medal.Tatoeba #1182390 by marcelostockle, translation #1182398 by CK
- ¿Viste la medallita que ganó Juan en la competencia de natación?Did you see the little medal Juan won in the swimming competition?
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are looking at a collection of souvenirs.
- Mateo¿Es esa una medalla de plata?Is that a silver medal?
- MaríaSí, es una medalla muy antigua.Yes, it is a very old medal.
- MateoParece una medalla muy bonita.It looks like a very pretty medal.
- MaríaGracias, Mateo, me encanta.Thanks, Mateo, I love it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “medal” translations and entries medalla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries medalla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
