huellas
“huellas” means “footprints” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
footprints, tracks
Also: fingerprints, prints
📝 In Action
Las huellas en la arena demuestran que alguien caminó por aquí.
A1The footprints in the sand show that someone walked here.
El detective encontró huellas dactilares en el vaso.
A2The detective found fingerprints on the glass.
Las huellas de las ruedas son muy profundas en el barro.
B1The tire tracks are very deep in the mud.
traces, impact
Also: signs, legacy
📝 In Action
La crisis dejó profundas huellas en la economía del país.
B1The crisis left deep traces (or marks) on the country's economy.
Sus obras dejaron huellas imborrables en la música moderna.
B2His works left indelible marks (or a lasting impact) on modern music.
Todavía vemos las huellas de la antigua civilización en las ruinas.
B1We still see the traces of the ancient civilization in the ruins.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "huellas" in Spanish:
fingerprints→footprints→legacy→prints→signs→traces→tracks→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: huellas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'huellas' to mean 'lasting impact' rather than 'physical marks'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Vulgar Latin word *fŏllea*, related to the idea of the sole of the foot or an imprint left behind. It replaced older Latin words for foot imprints.
First recorded: Medieval Spanish (around 13th century)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'huellas' sound like 'huevos'?
No. Although both words start with 'hue-' and have a silent 'h,' 'huellas' has the 'y' sound (WEY-yahss), whereas 'huevos' (eggs) is pronounced WEY-vohss. The difference is the double 'l' sound.
Can I use 'huella' (singular) instead of 'huellas' (plural)?
Yes, but it’s less common. 'Huella' refers to a single, distinct print. However, when talking about the general 'tracks' of a person, animal, or event, the plural 'huellas' is used almost exclusively.