peso
/PEH-soh/
weight
The physical heaviness of an object is referred to as peso.
📝 In Action
Necesito saber el peso exacto de mi equipaje.
A1I need to know the exact weight of my luggage.
Ha perdido diez kilos de peso desde enero.
A2She has lost ten kilograms of weight since January.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun Rule
Remember that 'peso' is a masculine word, so you must use the masculine article 'el' (el peso) or the plural 'los' (los pesos).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'peso' and 'pesado'
Mistake: "Using 'peso' as an adjective (e.g., 'La caja es mucho peso')."
Correction: Use the adjective 'pesada' instead: 'La caja es muy pesada' (The box is very heavy). 'Peso' is the noun (the thing being measured).
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs. Informal
While 'peso' means 'weight,' in common conversation, people often ask, '¿Cuánto pesas?' (How much do you weigh?) instead of asking for 'el peso.'
The peso is a unit of currency used in several countries.
📝 In Action
Este billete es de cien pesos mexicanos.
A1This bill is for one hundred Mexican pesos.
Pagué el doble de lo que costaba, ¡qué despilfarro de pesos!
B1I paid double what it cost, what a waste of pesos (money)!
💡 Grammar Points
Currency Plural
Unlike English speakers who might say 'a hundred dollar,' Spanish always uses the plural form for amounts greater than one: 'cien pesos,' 'dos pesos.'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Misunderstanding Value
Mistake: "Assuming all pesos are worth the same (e.g., confusing the Mexican peso for the Argentine peso)."
Correction: Always specify or infer the country when discussing the 'peso' currency, as their values vary greatly.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using the Symbol
In many countries, the currency symbol is '$' (e.g., '$100'), which can be confusing for those who think it only means 'dollars.' Context is key!
In a gym context, peso can refer to a dumbbell or weight used for exercise.
peso(noun)
dumbbell
?gym/exercise
,counterweight
?balancing mechanism
scale weight
?object used on old balance scales
📝 In Action
Necesitas levantar los pesos con cuidado para no lesionarte.
B1You need to lift the weights carefully so you don't injure yourself.
El reloj antiguo tiene un peso de metal que lo hace funcionar.
C1The antique clock has a metal counterweight that makes it work.
💡 Grammar Points
Common Verb Partner
The phrase 'hacer pesas' (literally 'to do weights') is the most common way to say 'to lift weights' or 'to workout with weights' in Spanish.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: peso
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'peso' in its currency meaning?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'peso' a common slang term for money?
Yes, especially in the plural form, 'pesos' can be used informally to simply mean 'money' or 'cash' in general, even if the local currency isn't strictly called the peso.
How do I ask someone's weight using the verb form?
The most natural way is to use the verb 'pesar': '¿Cuánto pesas?' (How much do you weigh?). You would rarely use 'peso' (the noun) in this direct question.