perla
/ˈpeɾla/feminine
The Spanish word for pearl is perla.
A perla is a rounded shelly concretion produced by certain mollusks. Much like in English, the word can be used metaphorically to describe something of great value or a person of exceptional quality.
Meaning: rounded shelly concretion produced by certain mollusks (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of perla is perlas. The word is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpeɾla/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the phrase soltar una perla can be used sarcastically to describe someone saying something remarkably stupid or an unintentional blunder.
- Despite the modern word perla, the original Latin word for pearl was margarīta, which is the ancestor of the name 'Margaret'.
- Calling a person a perla can be a double-edged compliment, suggesting they are a 'piece of work' or particularly difficult to handle.
Examples in context
- No veo a Perla.I don't know where Pearl is.This sentence shows the word perla being used as a proper name.Tatoeba #7304098 by ProfessorAntonnio, translation #11778915 by Masatami
- Dejó de buscar la perla.He stopped looking for the pearl.This sentence illustrates the use of perla to refer to a physical object.Tatoeba #1010143 by Shishir, translation #299989 by Swift
- ¡Nunca he visto una perla de semejante magnitud!I've never seen a pearl of such magnitude!This sentence demonstrates the use of perla when describing the size of the object.Tatoeba #832491 by LugoIlmer, translation #54732 by CM
- La perla es un símbolo de belleza y elegancia.The pearl is a symbol of beauty and elegance.
- Quisiera comprar una gema rara, como una perla.I would like to buy a rare gem, like a pearl.
- Mi abuela me regaló una perlita hermosa.My grandmother gave me a beautiful little pearl.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía is showing Javier a piece of jewelry.
- SofíaMira este collar de perla.Look at this pearl necklace.
- JavierEs muy elegante, Sofía.It is very elegant, Sofía.
- SofíaLa perla es natural.The pearl is natural.
- JavierEs un regalo precioso.It is a precious gift.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pearl” translations and entries perla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries perla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
