pedazo
/peh-DAH-thoh (Spain) / peh-DAH-soh (Latin America)/
piece
Pedazo means 'piece,' like a piece broken off a cookie.
pedazo(noun)
piece
?a portion of something larger
,fragment
?a broken part
bit
?small amount
,chunk
?a thick, solid piece
📝 In Action
Necesito un pedazo de papel para escribir una nota.
A1I need a piece of paper to write a note.
El jarrón se cayó y se rompió en mil pedazos.
A2The vase fell and broke into a thousand pieces.
Guárdame un pedazo de pizza, por favor.
A1Save me a slice of pizza, please.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
Even when referring to items that might be feminine (like 'la tarta'), 'pedazo' itself is always masculine: 'un pedazo de tarta' (a piece of cake).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'piece' and 'part'
Mistake: "Usar 'parte' para una porción física pequeña (e.g., 'una parte de pastel')."
Correction: Use 'pedazo' or 'trozo' for a physical portion you can hold or eat. 'Parte' refers more to a section or role.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using the diminutive
Add '-cito' to make it smaller: 'pedacito' (a little piece). This is very common and sounds affectionate.
When referring to distance, pedazo can mean 'a long way.'
pedazo(noun)
a long way
?distance
,a good distance
?distance
quite a stretch
?distance or time
,a while
?time (less common)
📝 In Action
La gasolinera queda a un buen pedazo de aquí, mejor llenamos el tanque.
B1The gas station is a long way from here, we should fill the tank.
Estuvimos esperando un pedazo hasta que llegó el autobús.
B2We were waiting for quite a while until the bus arrived.
💡 Grammar Points
Measuring Distance
When 'pedazo' refers to distance, it usually follows the preposition 'a' and is often intensified by 'buen' or 'gran' ('a un buen pedazo').
⭐ Usage Tips
Sounding Natural
Using 'pedazo' this way sounds very natural in conversation, but avoid it in formal writing or academic contexts.
Pedazo can be used as an intensifier to describe something as 'amazing' or extraordinary.
pedazo(noun)
amazing
?used as an intensifier for positive things
,complete
?used as an intensifier for negative things
superb
?positive description
,total
?negative description
📝 In Action
¡Qué pedazo de concierto! Fue la mejor noche de mi vida.
C1What an amazing concert! It was the best night of my life.
Es un pedazo de mentiroso, nunca le creas nada.
C2He is a complete liar, never believe him.
Su nuevo teléfono es un pedazo de máquina.
C1His new phone is an absolute machine (a great piece of technology).
💡 Grammar Points
Intensifier Placement
In this meaning, 'pedazo de...' acts like an adjective but always precedes the noun it modifies, emphasizing the quality (good or bad).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Literal Translation
Mistake: "Translating 'pedazo de idiota' as 'piece of idiot'."
Correction: The meaning is figurative; translate it as 'complete idiot' or 'total idiot'. It intensifies the following word.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
The tone depends entirely on the noun that follows. 'Pedazo de casa' is a compliment; 'pedazo de tonto' is an insult.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pedazo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'pedazo' to express distance?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'pedazo' always positive when used as an intensifier?
No. While it can mean 'amazing' (¡Qué pedazo de casa!), it is often used with negative words to mean 'complete' or 'total' (Es un pedazo de estúpido). The context of the noun determines the meaning.
What is the difference between 'pedazo' and 'trozo'?
They are often interchangeable, both meaning 'piece' or 'chunk.' 'Trozo' often implies a slightly larger or rougher piece, while 'pedazo' can refer to anything from a small scrap (pedacito) to a large portion.