Inklingo
← Dictionary

lona

lo-nah/ˈlona/

“lona” means “canvas” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

canvas

Also: tarpaulin, tarp
NounfA2
A thick, textured roll of beige heavy-duty canvas fabric leaning against a wooden crate.

📝 In Action

Mis zapatos de lona nuevos son muy cómodos.

A2

My new canvas shoes are very comfortable.

Pusimos una lona sobre el coche para protegerlo del sol.

B1

We put a tarp over the car to protect it from the sun.

La carpa del circo está hecha de una lona muy resistente.

B2

The circus tent is made of a very strong canvas.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • toldo (awning/tarp)
  • lienzo (canvas (usually for art))

Common Collocations

  • zapatos de lona – canvas shoes
  • lona impermeable – waterproof tarp
  • cubrir con lona – to cover with a tarp

canvas

Also: mat
NounfB2
A wide view of the blue canvas floor of a professional boxing ring with red ropes.

📝 In Action

El boxeador cayó a la lona en el tercer asalto.

B2

The boxer fell to the canvas in the third round.

El árbitro contó hasta diez mientras él seguía en la lona.

B2

The referee counted to ten while he remained on the mat.

Entrenar duro es la única forma de no terminar en la lona.

C1

Training hard is the only way to not end up on the mat.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cuadrilátero (boxing ring)
  • tapiz (mat (for wrestling/gymnastics))

Common Collocations

  • caer a la lona – to fall to the canvas
  • mandar a la lona – to knock someone down (to the mat)

Idioms & Expressions

  • Besar la lona – To be defeated or knocked out

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "lona" in Spanish:

canvas→mat→tarp→tarpaulin→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: lona

Question 1 of 3

Which material are 'zapatos de lona' made of?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
loneta(light canvas/duck cloth) — Noun
enlonar(to cover with a tarp) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Likely from the French 'olonne', a type of fabric originally manufactured in the French town of Olonne-sur-Mer.

First recorded: 17th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: olonne

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'lona' mean a plastic tarp?

Yes, although it technically refers to a woven fabric, it is commonly used for any large waterproof sheet used for covering things, even plastic ones.

How do I say 'heavy-duty tarp'?

You can say 'lona resistente' or 'lona de uso rudo' in some regions.

Is 'lona' used in all Spanish-speaking countries?

Yes, it is a very standard word across Spain and Latin America for this material.