Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tocón | /toˈkon/ | masculine |
| muñón | /muˈɲon/ | masculine |
| punta final | /punta final/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| cabo | /ˈkabo/ | masculine |
The term for 'stump' in Spanish varies significantly based on whether you are referring to botany, anatomy or technical materials. You use tocón for the remains of a tree, muñón for a limb after amputation and cabo for the end of a rope or wire.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on what has been cut off. Use tocón specifically for botanical contexts, such as a tree stump (often phrased as tocón de árbol). Use muñón for the anatomical stump of a limb, such as an arm or leg, following an amputation. In technical contexts, use cabo to describe the stump or end of a piece of wire or a rope. The form punta final can also be used as a feminine way to describe a final tip or end.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
tocón, muñón and cabo are masculine nouns, while punta final is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/toˈkon/
Did you know?
- The word muñón is potentially derived from Paleo-Hispanic languages, which were spoken in the Iberian Peninsula before the arrival of Latin.
Examples in context
- El tocón está completamente pocho.The stump is completely rotten.This sentence uses tocón to describe a rotten stump.Tatoeba #10471791 by Seael, translation #10114271 by AlanF_US
- Se sentó en el tocón musgoso de un árbol.He sat on a mossy tree stump.This sentence uses tocón to describe a mossy tree stump.Tatoeba #10471798 by Seael, translation #5338777 by Zurich899
- Los leñadores cortaron el árbol, dejando un tronco en el suelo.The loggers cut down the tree, leaving a stump on the ground.
- El médico envolvió el muñón con un vendaje especial.The doctor wrapped the stump with a special bandage.
- Me senté en el tocón del árbol para descansar un momento.I sat on the tree stump to take a quick rest.
- El tocón de ese pino es muy alto.The stump of that pine tree is very tall.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are walking in a forest.
- MateoMira ese tocón tan grande.Look at that huge stump.
- LucíaParece que el árbol era muy viejo.It looks like the tree was very old.
- MateoPodemos usar el tocón como mesa.We can use the stump as a table.
- LucíaEs una buena idea, Mateo.That is a good idea, Mateo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stump” translations and entries tocón, muñón, cabo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cabo, final, muñón, punta, tocón, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
