Inklingo
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pedazos

/peh-DAH-sos/

pieces

A simple blue ceramic plate lying on a flat surface, clearly broken into several distinct fragments and pieces.

Pedazos means 'pieces,' referring to the fragments of a broken object.

pedazos(noun)

mA1

pieces

?

fragments of an object

,

bits

?

small quantities or parts

Also:

shards

?

broken glass or pottery

,

fragments

?

general term for broken parts

📝 In Action

El plato se cayó al suelo y se rompió en mil pedazos.

A1

The plate fell to the floor and broke into a thousand pieces.

Quiero dos pedazos de pizza, por favor.

A1

I want two pieces of pizza, please.

Recogimos los pedazos de papel mojado.

A2

We picked up the bits of wet paper.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • trozos (chunks, pieces)
  • fragmentos (fragments)

Common Collocations

  • romper en pedazos – to break into pieces
  • unir los pedazos – to put the pieces together

💡 Grammar Points

Plural Form

"Pedazos" is the plural form of "pedazo" (piece). You must use it when referring to more than one part.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Singular/Plural

Mistake: "Dame un pedazos de pan."

Correction: Dame un pedazo de pan. (Use the singular form 'pedazo' when you mean 'one piece'.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Counting Pieces

Use numbers with 'pedazos' when counting, like 'tres pedazos' (three pieces).

A simple cartoon figure sitting alone on a wooden bench, hunched over with their head in their hands, conveying deep sadness and emotional distress.

Pedazos can also describe feeling 'shattered' or emotionally broken.

pedazos(noun)

mB1

shattered

?

emotionally or physically broken state

,

wrecked

?

completely ruined or destroyed (of things)

Also:

exhausted

?

used in the phrase 'estar hecho pedazos'

📝 In Action

Después de correr la maratón, estaba hecho pedazos.

B1

After running the marathon, I was totally exhausted/wrecked.

La crítica hizo pedazos su nueva novela.

B2

The review tore her new novel to shreds (destroyed it completely).

Me sentí hecha pedazos cuando se fue.

B1

I felt shattered/broken when he left.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • deshecho (undone, destroyed)
  • destrozado (devastated)

Idioms & Expressions

  • estar hecho pedazos – to be utterly exhausted, physically or emotionally destroyed
  • hacer pedazos algo/a alguien – to destroy something completely; to criticize someone harshly

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'Hecho'

In the common phrase 'estar hecho pedazos,' notice that 'hecho' (made) must match the gender of the person speaking ('hecho' for masculine, 'hecha' for feminine), even though 'pedazos' is masculine plural.

⭐ Usage Tips

Emotional Intensity

Using 'pedazos' in these phrases adds great emotional intensity. It’s much stronger than just saying 'estoy cansado' (I am tired).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: pedazos

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'pedazos' in its figurative, emotional sense?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

pedazo(piece, bit (singular)) - noun
pedacito(little piece (diminutive)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'pedazo' or 'pedazos' more common?

Both are extremely common. 'Pedazos' is the plural form used when you have multiple pieces, while 'pedazo' is the singular form for a single piece. You need both to talk about things being broken or divided.

How do I use 'estar hecho pedazos' correctly?

This phrase means 'to be completely exhausted' or 'shattered.' The word 'hecho' must match the person's gender. Say 'Estoy hecho pedazos' if you are male, and 'Estoy hecha pedazos' if you are female.