piedra
/ˈpjedɾa/feminine
The English word stone is translated into Spanish as piedra.
piedra is the most common and general term for stone in Spanish. It can also be used metaphorically in the phrase piedra angular to mean a cornerstone or a fundamental part of something, just like in English. If you are referring to large, solid masses of stone, you might use roca (rock). For a specific stone slab or paving stone, use losa.
Meaning: small piece of stone (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
By adding the suffix -azo to piedra, you create the word piedrazo, which refers to a large stone or a heavy blow delivered by a stone.
Which one should you use?
While piedra is the general term, roca can be used to refer to stones in a more specific and larger sense, commonly describing large, solid masses of stone. Losa specifically refers to a stone slab or paving stone.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions of Spain, pedrusco is used to describe a large or irregularly shaped stone. In some Latin American countries, particularly in the Andean region, peña is used to refer to large rocks or cliffs.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of piedra is piedras.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpjedɾa/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word piedra shares the same DNA as the English word 'petrify', which comes from the same Greek root. This connection is also visible in 'petroleum', which literally translates to 'rock oil'.
- The suffix -azo in piedrazo is a productive part of Spanish grammar used to describe a blow given with an object, such as martillazo for a hit with a hammer.
- In the Andean region, you might hear people use peña to refer to large rocks or cliffs, whereas in Spain, peña can also refer to a group of friends or a social club.
Examples in context
- Una piedra no flota.A stone does not float.Tatoeba #1172801 by marcelostockle, translation #272224 by CK
- ¿Qué piedra es esta?What's this stone?Tatoeba #1432919 by wallebot, translation #6037246 by Adelpa
- Un piedrazo lo mató.A blow from a falling stone killed him.Tatoeba #2491890 by leoruilova, translation #325195 by JimBreen
- La escultura está hecha de piedra.The sculpture is made of stone.
- El montañero escaló la roca sin dificultad.The mountaineer climbed the rock without difficulty.
- La terraza está hecha de losas de piedra.The terrace is made of stone slabs.
- El río está lleno de piedritas brillantes.The river is full of shiny little stones.
- Tropecé con un pedrusco en el camino.I stumbled upon a huge stone on the road.
- La cumbre está protegida por enormes peñas.The summit is protected by enormous rocks.
- Las playas de Puerto Rico están llenas de guijas suaves.The beaches of Puerto Rico are full of smooth pebbles.
- 114 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are walking on a beach.
- SofíaMira esta piedra tan brillante.Look at this very shiny stone.
- DanielEs muy bonita, Sofía.It is very pretty, Sofía.
- Sofía¿Puedes lanzar la piedra al agua?Can you throw the stone into the water?
- DanielSí, mira cómo salta.Yes, look how it skips.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stone” translations and entries piedra, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries piedra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
