lana
/LAH-nah/
wool
The primary meaning of lana is wool, a textile material.
📝 In Action
Necesito un abrigo de lana para el invierno.
A1I need a wool coat for the winter.
La oveja produce mucha lana cada primavera.
A2The sheep produces a lot of fleece every spring.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
Even though 'lana' ends in 'a,' it is always used with feminine articles and adjectives: 'la lana,' 'lana gruesa' (thick wool).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gender Confusion
Mistake: "El lana es suave."
Correction: La lana es suave. (Remember, it's a feminine word.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Material vs. Object
When talking about the material, use 'lana.' To talk about a finished wool garment, you might use 'prenda de lana' or a specific word like 'jersey' (sweater).
Informally, especially in parts of Latin America, lana is slang for money or cash.
📝 In Action
¿Tienes suficiente lana para el taxi?
B1Do you have enough cash for the taxi?
Perdí mucha lana en esa inversión tonta.
B2I lost a lot of money on that silly investment.
No tengo ni una lana.
B2I don't have a single penny (I'm broke).
💡 Grammar Points
Counting Money
Even though 'dinero' (money) is masculine and singular, 'lana' is feminine and typically used in the singular when referring to a sum of cash.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Lana' Formally
Mistake: "Le transferí la lana a mi jefe."
Correction: Le transferí el dinero a mi jefe. (Use 'dinero' or 'fondos' in professional or formal settings.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Informal Context
This meaning is very common and completely acceptable among friends, family, and in casual conversations throughout Latin America, but avoid it in formal business or academic writing.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: lana
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'lana' in its informal slang meaning?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'lana' rude or offensive when used to mean money?
No, it is not rude or offensive. It is simply informal and very common slang, especially in Mexico. You can use it freely with friends and in casual settings, but you should choose 'dinero' or 'efectivo' (cash) in professional communication.
How do I know if someone is talking about wool or money?
Context is key! If the conversation is about clothes, animals, or knitting, they mean 'wool.' If the conversation is about prices, paying bills, or being broke, they mean 'money.'