Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pieza | /ˈpjeθa/ /ˈpjesa/ |
feminine |
| pedazo | /peˈdaθo/ /peˈdaso/ |
masculine |
| trozo | /ˈtɾoθo/ /ˈtɾoso/ |
masculine |
| retazo | /reˈtaθo/ /reˈtaso/ |
masculine |
All these terms refer to a part of a larger whole, but they are chosen based on what kind of object is being divided or used.
Which one should you use?
Choose your word based on the context: use pieza when referring to a component, a part of a mechanism or a piece of a puzzle or game. Use trozo for a fragment or a chunk of something, such as food, wood or stone. While pedazo is often used interchangeably with trozo, it frequently implies a smaller or more irregular fragment. Use retazo specifically when referring to a scrap or a small piece of fabric or cloth.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the word trocito is a diminutive form of trozo used to express the concept of a piece with a smaller or cuter connotation.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
pieza is a feminine noun and must be preceded by feminine articles such as una or la. The words trozo, pedazo and retazo are masculine nouns and require masculine articles like un or el.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpjeθa/
Did you know?
- While pedazo usually means a small fragment, it can act as an intensifier to describe something massive, such as pedazo de coche for a 'huge car'.
- The word pieza can also refer to a specific room in a house in some Latin American dialects, similar to how 'piece' was used in archaic English.
- The word pieza is the standard term used when referring to a 'piece' of music or a work of art.
Examples in context
- Es un trozo de tarta.It's a piece of cake.This sentence is useful for describing a piece of food with trozo.Tatoeba #578810 by Shishir, translation #21259 by Eldad
- Esta pieza no encaja.This piece doesn't match.This sentence is useful for describing a component that does not fit with pieza.Tatoeba #1396950 by marcelostockle, translation #1396955 by CK
- Deme un trozo de tiza.Give me a piece of chalk.This sentence is useful for requesting a piece of an object with trozo.Tatoeba #985745 by Shishir, translation #40112 by CK
- Necesitamos una pieza adicional para arreglar el reloj.We need an additional piece to fix the clock.
- La parte que falta del rompecabezas es muy difícil de encontrar.The missing piece of the puzzle is very hard to find.
- ¡Me comí un pedazo de pastel delicioso!I ate a delicious piece of cake!
- Ana cortó un trozo de queso para la cena.Ana cut a piece of cheese for dinner.
- 120 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are looking for a component for a machine.
- ElenaJavier, ¿tienes la pieza de repuesto?Javier, do you have the spare piece?
- JavierNo, busco la pieza en la caja.No, I am looking for the piece in the box.
- ElenaEs una pieza muy pequeña.It is a very small piece.
- JavierYa la encontré, Elena.I already found it, Elena.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “piece” translations and entries pieza, pedazo, trozo, retazo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
