pala
/ˈpala/feminine
The Spanish word for shovel is pala.
pala is a feminine noun used to refer to the tool used for moving portions of material. If you are referring to a large piece of machinery like an excavator, the synonym Excavadora is used.
Meaning: tool for moving portions of material (noun)
Which one should you use?
While pala refers to the tool itself, the related verb palear describes the action of using a shovel. Additionally, if you want to describe the amount of material moved in a single stroke, use the noun palada (a shovelful).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of pala is las palas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpala/
Did you know?
- When talking about sports, pala refers to the racket used in games like beach tennis or padel in certain regions.
- In biological terms, pala is used to describe the broad part of a leaf or the flat section of a bird's wing.
- Spanish uses the word pala to describe the individual blades of a propeller or a turbine.
Examples in context
- Poné la pala abajo.Put the shovel down.This sentence is useful for practicing how to say 'down' in relation to pala.Tatoeba #4756613 by DarkHollow, translation #3155611 by CK
- ¿Dónde está la pala?Where's the shovel?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of pala.Tatoeba #4756614 by DarkHollow, translation #3820849 by CK
- ¿Me prestas tu pala?Can I borrow your shovel?This sentence is useful for asking to borrow pala.Tatoeba #4756623 by DarkHollow, translation #3730902 by CM
- ¿Puede prestarme una pala por favor?Could you lend me a shovel, please?
- Estoy cavando con la pala.I am digging with the shovel.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Mateo are working in the garden.
- MaríaNecesito una pala para plantar estas flores.I need a shovel to plant these flowers.
- MateoTengo una pala en el garaje, Mateo.I have a shovel in the garage, Mateo.
- MaríaGracias, voy a buscar la pala ahora.Thanks, I'm going to look for the shovel now.
- MateoEstá junto a las macetas, María.It's next to the flowerpots, María.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shovel” translations and entries pala, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
