sierra
/ˈsjera/feminine
The Spanish word for the tool saw is sierra.
sierra is a noun used to refer to the tool used for cutting. It is also used to refer to a mountain range, named for the jagged, saw-like appearance of the mountain peaks. Related to this, the verb serrar means to cut something with a saw.
Meaning: tool (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word sierra literally means saw.
Which one should you use?
While sierra is a general term for any saw, the word serrucho is commonly used to specify a smaller hand saw.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and some other Latin American countries, the phrase me encontré con is used to convey the idea of seeing someone unexpectedly.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As a feminine noun, sierra must be preceded by feminine articles such as la or una.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsjera/
Did you know?
- While sierra is the tool, the Spanish word for a 'saw' in the sense of 'the past tense of see' is vi, which shares no linguistic root with the tool.
- The word sierra comes from the Latin serra, which is the direct ancestor of the English word 'serrated'.
- In Spanish botanical terms, a leaf with a sierra edge is described as aserrada, a technical term used by biologists to categorize plant species.
Examples in context
- Tom maneja muy bien la sierra.Tom handles a saw very well.This sentence shows how to use the noun sierra regarding handling the tool.Tatoeba #5638664 by arh, translation #5636636 by CK
- Ella tomó prestada una sierra del granjero.She borrowed a saw from the farmer.This sentence shows how to use the noun sierra in the context of borrowing a tool.Tatoeba #1196257 by marcelostockle, translation #311384 by CK
- Necesito una sierra.I need a saw.This sentence shows how to use the noun sierra to express a need for the tool.Tatoeba #13932996 by BenjaBesings_14, translation #6196244 by CK
- Vi un hermoso paisaje en mis vacaciones.I saw a beautiful landscape on my vacation.
- Observé los cambios en el mercado financiero.I observed the changes in the financial market.
- ¡Vi una película increíble ayer!I saw an amazing movie yesterday!
- Me encontré con mi amiga en el centro comercial.I saw my friend at the mall unexpectedly.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel is working in the garden and Elena comes to help.
- Elena¿Dónde está la sierra para los troncos?Where is the saw for the logs?
- DanielLa sierra está en el cobertizo, Elena.The saw is in the shed, Elena.
- ElenaGracias, la usaré para cortar la madera.Thanks, I will use it to cut the wood.
- DanielTen cuidado con esa sierra, es muy afilada.Be careful with that saw, it is very sharp.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “saw” translations and entries sierra, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sierra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
