hierba

/YAIR-bah/

grass

A lush, bright green lawn filling the foreground under a clear blue sky.

Hierba can refer to the common grass found in a lawn or field.

hierba(noun)

fA1

grass

as in a lawn or field

Also:

turf

ground cover

📝 In Action

Necesito cortar la hierba del jardín este fin de semana.

I need to cut the grass in the garden this weekend.

Nos sentamos en la hierba para hacer un picnic.

We sat on the grass to have a picnic.

Word Connections

Synonyms

césped (lawn grass)
pasto (pasture/grass (common in Latin America))

Common Collocations

cortar la hierba – to cut the grass
un campo de hierba – a grassy field

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine

Even though 'hierba' starts with the sound 'ye-' (a strong vowel sound), it does not take the masculine article 'el' like some other feminine nouns (e.g., el agua). It is always 'la hierba'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the wrong article

Mistake: "El hierba es verde."

Correction: La hierba es verde. (The grass is green.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Region Check: Césped vs. Hierba

In Spain, 'césped' is usually used for a manicured lawn, while 'hierba' refers to wilder grass or general vegetation. In much of Latin America, 'pasto' is often used for lawn or grazing grass.

A healthy basil plant with large green leaves growing in a small brown clay pot.

Hierba is also used for a culinary or medicinal herb, like basil.

hierba(noun)

fB1

herb

culinary or medicinal plant

Also:

weed

unwanted plant

📝 In Action

Esta hierba es muy buena para hacer té digestivo.

This herb is very good for making digestive tea.

Compramos hierbas aromáticas para condimentar la carne.

We bought aromatic herbs to season the meat.

Word Connections

Synonyms

especia (spice)
planta (plant)

Common Collocations

hierbas medicinales – medicinal herbs
hierbas finas – fine herbs (culinary mix)

💡 Grammar Points

Plural Use

When talking about different types of herbs (like basil, thyme, etc.), use the plural form 'hierbas'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Context is Key

When you are in a kitchen or discussing remedies, 'hierba' means 'herb'. When you are outside, it usually means 'grass'. The surrounding words will clarify the meaning.

A distinct, single seven-pointed cannabis leaf.

In some contexts, hierba is slang for marijuana.

hierba(noun)

fC1

weed

marijuana

Also:

pot

cannabis

📝 In Action

Dicen que van a legalizar la venta de hierba en el estado vecino.

They say they are going to legalize the sale of weed in the neighboring state.

Word Connections

Synonyms

marihuana (marijuana)
mota (weed (Mexico/Central America))

⭐ Usage Tips

Slang Alert

This meaning is highly informal and should be avoided in professional or formal settings. Use 'marihuana' if you need a neutral term.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: hierba

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'hierba' to refer to a culinary ingredient?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

herbal(herbal) - adjective

hierbajo(a low-quality weed/scrawny grass (derogatory)) - noun

herbolario(herbalist shop / dispenser of herbs) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between 'hierba' and 'césped'?

Yes, usually. 'Césped' specifically refers to a manicured lawn or turf, like on a soccer field or in a backyard. 'Hierba' is a more general term for any type of grass or small green plant.

Why is the 'h' silent in 'hierba'?

The 'h' in Spanish is silent because it was lost in pronunciation as the language evolved from Latin. It is kept in writing mainly for historical reasons, but it doesn't make any sound.