Inklingo
← Dictionary

menuda

meh-NOO-dah/meˈnuða/

small, petite

Also: delicate
A tiny brown field mouse sitting next to a very large, imposing brown acorn, emphasizing the size difference.

📝 In Action

Ella es una mujer muy menuda, parece que flota al caminar.

A2

She is a very petite woman; it looks like she floats when she walks.

Necesitas herramientas menudas para arreglar ese reloj.

B1

You need small tools to fix that watch.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • grande (large)
  • robusta (sturdy)

Common Collocations

  • de menuda estatura – of small stature

quite a, some

Also: great
AdjectivefB2informal
Spain
A small child with wide eyes looking up in astonishment at an extremely tall, brightly colored ice cream cone they are holding.

📝 In Action

¡Menuda faena me has dejado para mañana!

B2

What a job you've left me for tomorrow! (Implies it's a big, difficult job.)

Menuda suerte tuvimos de encontrar ese billete.

C1

We had some luck finding that ticket.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • ¡Menuda vergüenza! – What a shame!

offal, giblets

NounfB2
A collection of stylized, colorful edible offal, including pieces of liver and kidneys, resting on a clean wooden cutting board.

📝 In Action

Para este plato se necesitan las menudas del cordero.

B2

For this dish, the lamb's offal is needed.

Compramos menudas frescas en el mercado local.

B2

We bought fresh giblets at the local market.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • vísceras (viscera)

Common Collocations

  • guiso de menudas – offal stew

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "menuda" in Spanish:

delicate→petite→some→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: menuda

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'menuda' to mean 'small in size'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
menudo(small, trivial (masculine form)) — Adjective
menudear(to happen frequently) — Verb
minucia(trifle, minor detail) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
ayudadesnuda
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Latin *minutus*, meaning 'small' or 'tiny,' which is also the root of the English word 'minute' (the small unit of time). The core idea is always related to something small or detailed.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: minutoFrench: menu

💡 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

Is 'menuda' the same as 'moneda' (coin)?

No. While 'menuda' historically referred to small change or loose coins (due to its meaning 'small'), the common word for a coin is 'moneda'. You will rarely hear 'menuda' used to mean money today, except perhaps in very old or regional contexts.

How do I know if 'menuda' means 'small' or 'big/impressive'?

Listen to the tone and look at the punctuation. If it's used with an exclamation mark (¡...!) and comes before the noun, it almost always acts as an intensifier, meaning 'what a great/big/significant' thing. If it is used descriptively after the verb 'ser' (to be), it usually means 'small' or 'petite'.