perdigones
/peɾdiɡones/from spelling rules
The English phrase "pellets" can be translated into Spanish as perdigones.
perdigones refers to the small metal balls used as ammunition in a shotgun. Depending on the context, other words may be more appropriate, such as using Gránulos for compacted particles or the Anglicism Pellets in certain formal settings.
Which one should you use?
While perdigones is the standard term for shotgun ammunition, you might use Bolitas to colloquially describe the items as "little balls". For a more formal discussion regarding small, compacted particles or granules, use Gránulos.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the word pellets is commonly used specifically to refer to biomass or wood pellets used as fuel.
How do you pronounce it?
/peɾdiɡones/
Did you know?
- The word perdigones is derived from perdigón, which shares a root with perdiz, the Spanish word for 'partridge'. This is because partridges were historically one of the most common game birds hunted with this type of ammunition.
- In Spain, if you ask for pellets, a worker will likely hand you wood granules for a heating stove rather than ammunition.
- While perdigones is the technical term for shotgun pellets, using the word perdigones in some Latin American contexts might sound strangely archaic or overly formal compared to more common terms for small projectiles.
Examples in context
- Necesito más gránulos para mi experimento científico.I need more pellets for my scientific experiment.
- La producción de este medicamento requiere utilizar gránulos específicos.The production of this medicine requires the use of specific pellets.
- ¡Mira todas las pelotillas de papel en el suelo! Hay que limpiar.Look at all the paper pellets on the floor! We need to clean up.
- La escopeta dispara perdigones.The shotgun fires pellets.
- Necesito comprar más perdigones para la caza.I need to buy more pellets for hunting.
- Los perdigones son muy pequeños.The pellets are very small.
Example conversation
At a sporting goods store.
- Elena¿Venden perdigones para escopetas de tiro?Do you sell pellets for clay shooting shotguns?
- JavierSí, tenemos varios tamaños disponibles.Yes, we have several sizes available.
- ElenaPerfecto, llevaré una caja de perdigones.Perfect, I will take a box of pellets.
- JavierMuy bien, pásate por la caja.Very well, head over to the checkout.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
