Inklingo
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kilo

/kee-loh/

kilo

A wooden crate filled with several green apples sitting on a simple scale.

A kilo represented by the weight of a basket of fresh fruit.

kilo(noun)

mA1

kilo

?

short for kilogram

Also:

kilogram

?

formal unit of mass

📝 In Action

Quisiera un kilo de tomates, por favor.

A1

I would like a kilo of tomatoes, please.

Este paquete pesa medio kilo.

A1

This package weighs half a kilo.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • kilogramo (kilogram)

Common Collocations

  • un kilo de – a kilo of
  • medio kilo – half a kilo
  • por kilos – by the kilo

💡 Grammar Points

Always Masculine

Even if you are buying feminine items like 'manzanas' (apples), the word 'kilo' stays masculine: 'un kilo de manzanas'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Kilo vs. Mile

Mistake: "Using kilo to mean kilometer."

Correction: In Spanish, 'kilo' only refers to weight. For distance, always use 'kilómetro'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Market Talk

When shopping at a local market, you can simply say 'un kilo' or 'medio kilo' followed by the product name to sound like a local.

A person standing on a simple bathroom scale with a happy expression.

Kilo used to refer to body mass and weight.

kilo(noun)

mA2

weight

?

referring to body mass

Also:

pounds

?

figurative equivalent in English contexts

📝 In Action

He engordado un par de kilos en vacaciones.

A2

I've put on a couple of kilos over the holidays.

Necesito perder unos kilos antes del verano.

B1

I need to lose a few kilos before summer.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • perder kilos – to lose weight
  • ganar kilos – to gain weight
  • sobrar kilos – to be overweight

💡 Grammar Points

Plural Usage

When talking about body weight in general, we usually use the plural form 'los kilos' or 'unos kilos'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Cultural Note

Spanish-speaking countries use the metric system. If you're from the US or UK, remember that 1 kilo is about 2.2 pounds!

A large, overflowing treasure chest filled with gold coins.

Kilo used colloquially to refer to a large sum of money.

kilo(noun)

mC1

a million

?

referring to money

📝 In Action

Ese coche le costó tres kilos.

C1

That car cost him three million.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • millón (million)

⭐ Usage Tips

History of the term

This slang comes from the time of the Peseta (Spain's old currency), where a million pesetas was called 'un kilo'. People still use it today to refer to a million euros.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: kilo

Question 1 of 2

If you are at a market in Madrid and someone says 'Cuesta un kilo', what are they most likely referring to?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

kilogramo(kilogram) - noun
kilómetro(kilometer) - noun
kilovatio(kilowatt) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'quilo' with a 'q' also correct?

While 'quilo' was used in the past, 'kilo' is the standard and most widely accepted spelling today in all Spanish-speaking countries.

Can 'kilo' mean kilometer in Spanish?

No. Unlike some English slang, in Spanish 'kilo' strictly refers to weight/mass. For distance, you must use 'kilómetro'.