menuda
/meh-NOO-dah/
small
When describing something small in size or stature, like this tiny mouse, you can use "menuda."
menuda(Adjective)
small
?in size or stature
,petite
?referring to a person, especially a woman
delicate
?referring to features or construction
📝 In Action
Ella es una mujer muy menuda, parece que flota al caminar.
A2She is a very petite woman; it looks like she floats when she walks.
Necesitas herramientas menudas para arreglar ese reloj.
B1You need small tools to fix that watch.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Remember that 'menuda' is the feminine form. If you were describing a small man or a small object that is masculine, you would use 'menudo'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use for People
It is often used as a polite and gentle way to describe someone (usually a woman) who is thin or short, focusing on their delicate appearance.
"Menuda" is often used for emphasis or exclamation, like reacting to something surprisingly grand or impressive.
menuda(Adjective)
quite a
?used for emphasis or exclamation
,some
?implying importance or irony
great
?often used sarcastically
📝 In Action
¡Menuda faena me has dejado para mañana!
B2What a job you've left me for tomorrow! (Implies it's a big, difficult job.)
Menuda suerte tuvimos de encontrar ese billete.
C1We had some luck finding that ticket.
💡 Grammar Points
Exclamatory Use
When used this way, 'menuda' usually comes before the noun and acts like an exclamation word, emphasizing the size, intensity, or unexpected nature of the noun.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Meanings
Mistake: "Using 'menuda' to mean 'small' when it is clearly meant to be an exclamation (e.g., '¡Menuda casa!' usually means 'What a huge house!' not 'What a small house!')."
Correction: Context is key! If you hear it with an exclamation tone, it means the opposite of small—it means big, impressive, or remarkable.
As a noun, "menuda" refers to offal, the edible internal organs of an animal.
📝 In Action
Para este plato se necesitan las menudas del cordero.
B2For this dish, the lamb's offal is needed.
Compramos menudas frescas en el mercado local.
B2We bought fresh giblets at the local market.
💡 Grammar Points
Noun Usage
This noun is almost always used in the plural form: 'las menudas'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: menuda
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'menuda' to mean 'small in size'?
📚 More Resources
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'.