A simple, grey stone statue depicting a classical human figure standing upright on a small pedestal.

estatua

es-TAH-twa

nounfA1

statue?sculpted figure

Also:sculpture?large, figurative sculpture,monument?public figure

📝 In Action

En la plaza central hay una estatua de un héroe nacional.

In the central square there is a statue of a national hero.

La estatua de bronce fue dañada por la tormenta.

The bronze statue was damaged by the storm.

Ella se quedó inmóvil como una estatua cuando escuchó la noticia.

She stood still like a statue when she heard the news.

Word Connections

Synonyms

escultura (sculpture)
monumento (monument)

Common Collocations

estatua de mármol – marble statue
levantar una estatua – to erect a statue
estatua ecuestre – equestrian statue (on horseback)

Idioms & Expressions

quedarse como una estatua – to freeze in place; to be completely still

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine

Since 'estatua' ends in '-a', it is a feminine noun. You must always use feminine articles ('la estatua') and feminine adjectives ('una estatua grande').

Defining Material

To specify what the statue is made of, use the preposition 'de' (of/made of): 'la estatua de oro' (the statue made of gold).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Gender

Mistake: "El estatua es grande."

Correction: La estatua es grande. (Remember it's always feminine, 'la'.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Visualizing Pronunciation

The 'TUA' sound at the end is pronounced quickly, almost like one syllable ('twa'), not two separate syllables ('tu-a').

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: estatua

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'estatua'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

estatuilla(figurine / small statue) - noun

estatuario(statuary / sculptor) - noun/adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a masculine form of 'estatua'?

No, 'estatua' is always a feminine noun, regardless of what the statue depicts (e.g., a statue of a man is still 'la estatua'). If you need a masculine noun for a small figure, you might use 'el muñeco' (doll/figure).

¿Estatua o estatuilla? What's the difference?

'Estatua' usually refers to a large figure, often life-size or monumental. 'Estatuilla' (the diminutive form) means a small statue or figurine, like an award trophy or a small collectible.