lanza
/ˈlanθa/feminine
The English word spear is translated into Spanish as lanza. Wiktionary also lists venablo and azagaya.
Meaning: long stick with a sharp tip (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| lanza | /ˈlanθa/ /ˈlansa/ |
feminine |
| venablo | /beˈnablo/ | masculine |
| azagaya | /aθaˈɡaʝa/ /asaˈɡaʝa/ |
feminine |
A spear is a long stick with a sharp tip. While lanza is the most common term, if you are referring specifically to the staff or pole part of the spear, you may use astil.
Which one should you use?
lanza is the general term used for both thrusting and throwing a spear. venablo is another masculine noun for a spear or javelin. azagaya is a more specialized or literary term, often used to describe a smaller spear or a dart used in hunting or ancient warfare.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural, add -s to the end of the words: lanzas for lanza, venablos for venablo and azagayas for azagaya.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlanθa/
Did you know?
- The word azagaya entered Spanish from Arabic, which had borrowed it from an even older Proto-Berber language.
- In Spanish, the verb lanzar meaning 'to throw' is derived from the noun lanza.
Examples in context
- Tom apuñaló a Mary con una lanza.Tom stabbed Mary with a spear.This sentence shows how to use lanza to describe a stabbing action.Tatoeba #1325956 by marcelostockle, translation #1028001 by CK
- Le arrojó una lanza a su enemigo.He hurled a spear at his enemy.This sentence shows how to use lanza in the context of hurling a weapon.Tatoeba #1828664 by marcelostockle, translation #301737 by kremel
- La punta de la lanza fue bañada en un veneno mortal.The tip of the spear was dipped in a deadly poison.This sentence shows how to use lanza when discussing the tip of the weapon.Tatoeba #764189 by darinmex, translation #764188 by darinmex
- El guerrero empuñó la lanza con fuerzaThe warrior wielded the spear forcefully.
- El museo exhibe una antigua lanza romanaThe museum displays an ancient Roman spear.
- Los arqueólogos encontraron el astil de una lanza vikinga enterrado en la tierraArchaeologists discovered the staff of a Viking spear buried in the ground.
- El carpintero talló un astil para la lanzaThe carpenter carved a staff for the spear.
- El cazador atrapó al jabalí con un chuzoThe hunter caught the wild boar with a spear.
- Los indígenas utilizaban el chuzo para defenderseThe indigenous people used the spear to defend themselves.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are looking at historical artifacts in a museum.
- Daniel¿Es esa una lanza real?Is that a real spear?
- ElenaSí, es una lanza de la época romana.Yes, it is a spear from the Roman era.
- DanielEs impresionante ver su tamaño.It is impressive to see its size.
- ElenaDaniel, mira qué bien conserva la madera.Daniel, look how well the wood is preserved.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spear” translations and entries lanza, venablo, azagaya, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries azagaya, lanza, venablo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
