huella
/WEY-yah/
footprint
Huella meaning 'footprint' — the mark left by a foot.
huella(noun)
footprint
?mark left by a foot
,track
?trail left by an animal or vehicle
,general mark left on a surface
tread
?tire or shoe pattern
📝 In Action
El perro dejó huellas de barro por toda la casa.
A1The dog left muddy footprints all over the house.
La policía buscaba huellas dactilares en la ventana.
A2The police were looking for fingerprints on the window.
Vimos las huellas del venado en la orilla del río.
A2We saw the deer's tracks on the riverbank.
💡 Grammar Points
Feminine Noun
Remember that 'huella' is always feminine, even though it ends in '-a'. Make sure to use 'la' or 'una' before it.
⭐ Usage Tips
Specific Prints
To talk about fingerprints, use the specific phrase 'huella dactilar.' For footprints from a shoe, 'huella' works perfectly.
Huella meaning 'trace' — a lasting sign or remnant.
huella(noun)
trace
?lasting sign or remnant
,impression
?emotional or historical impact
impact
?environmental or social effect
📝 In Action
La civilización antigua dejó una huella imborrable en la historia.
B1The ancient civilization left an indelible trace on history.
Es importante reducir nuestra huella ecológica.
B2It is important to reduce our ecological footprint.
El profesor dejó una huella positiva en todos sus estudiantes.
B1The professor left a positive impression on all his students.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Dejar'
To express leaving a mark or making an impact, you almost always use the verb 'dejar' (to leave): 'dejar una huella'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Huella' and 'Pie'
Mistake: "Using 'pie' (foot) when you mean the mark left by the foot."
Correction: Use 'huella' for the *mark* or *track*. 'Pie' is the actual body part.
⭐ Usage Tips
Environmental Context
When talking about environmental responsibility, 'huella' is the standard word for 'footprint' (e.g., carbon, water, ecological).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: huella
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'huella' in its figurative (abstract) sense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'huella' masculine or feminine?
'Huella' is always a feminine noun. You must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la huella,' 'una huella profunda').
How do I say 'carbon footprint' in Spanish?
The most common and correct phrase is 'huella de carbono.' This utilizes the abstract meaning of 'huella' as an impact or trace.