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lana

LAH-nahˈla.na

“lana” means “wool” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

wool

Also: fleece
NounfA1
A large, fluffy white clump of raw sheep's wool resting on a simple background.

📝 In Action

Necesito un abrigo de lana para el invierno.

A1

I need a wool coat for the winter.

La oveja produce mucha lana cada primavera.

A2

The sheep produces a lot of fleece every spring.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • vellón (fleece (specifically))

Common Collocations

  • jersey de lana – wool sweater
  • hilo de lana – wool yarn

money

Also: dough, bucks
NounfB1informal
MexicoCentral AmericaSpain
A small stack of green paper currency bills tied together with a red rubber band.

📝 In Action

¿Tienes suficiente lana para el taxi?

B1

Do you have enough cash for the taxi?

Perdí mucha lana en esa inversión tonta.

B2

I lost a lot of money on that silly investment.

No tengo ni una lana.

B2

I don't have a single penny (I'm broke).

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • dinero (money (neutral))
  • plata (money (common slang))
  • guita (cash (slang, Spain/Argentina))

Common Collocations

  • hacer lana – to make money
  • gastar lana – to spend money

Idioms & Expressions

  • estar sin lana – to be broke

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "lana" in Spanish:

bucks→dough→fleece→money→wool→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: lana

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'lana' in its informal slang meaning?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
lanudo(woolly) — Adjective
lanar(woolen; sheep (adjective)) — Adjective
lanería(wool shop) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
mañanacampana
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes directly from the Latin word *lāna*, which simply meant 'wool.' The slang meaning of 'money' developed much later, possibly because wool was historically a valuable trade commodity or, less commonly, related to the fuzzy texture of old paper bills or lint.

First recorded: Before the 12th century (in Spanish)

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: lanaPortuguese: lã

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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.'