leña
/LEH-nyah/
firewood
Leña refers to wood cut specifically for burning, such as this stack of firewood.
leña(noun)
firewood
?wood cut specifically for burning
logs
?individual pieces of wood for a fire
📝 In Action
Fuimos al bosque a buscar leña para la fogata.
A2We went to the forest to look for firewood for the campfire.
La leña está demasiado húmeda y no prende.
B1The firewood is too damp and won't catch fire.
💡 Grammar Points
Uncountable Noun
Just like the English word 'firewood,' leña is usually used to describe a quantity of wood rather than counting individual pieces. You say 'mucha leña' (a lot of firewood) rather than 'muchas leñas'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Leña vs. Madera
Mistake: "Using 'leña' to talk about a table or house structure."
Correction: Use 'madera' for building things and 'leña' only for burning. Think: Leña = Fire, Madera = Material.
⭐ Usage Tips
Natural Phrasing
When you want to say 'a log,' it is more common to use 'un leño' (masculine) or 'un tronco' (a trunk/large log).
Leña can also mean a heavy defeat or thrashing, like a ball repeatedly hitting the back of the net.
leña(noun)
thrashing
?a heavy defeat in sports or a physical beating
hard time
?giving someone a lot of trouble or criticism
📝 In Action
El equipo rival nos dio mucha leña en el segundo tiempo.
B2The rival team gave us a real thrashing in the second half.
Los críticos le dieron leña a la nueva película.
C1The critics gave the new movie a hard time.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Action
In this context, 'dar leña' functions as a phrase describing an aggressive action, whether physical in sports or verbal in a debate.
⭐ Usage Tips
Sports Context
You will often hear sports commentators say a defender is 'giving firewood' (dando leña) if they are playing very aggressively and fouling often.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: leña
Question 1 of 2
If you are building a wooden chair, what material are you using?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'leña' and 'leño'?
'Leña' usually refers to a pile of firewood or the general concept of wood for burning. 'Un leño' refers to one specific, individual log.
Is 'leña' used the same way in all Spanish-speaking countries?
Yes, for the meaning of 'firewood,' it is universal. The slang meaning of 'a beating' or 'playing rough' is also widely understood, especially in Spain and parts of Latin America.