Inklingo
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piedra

/pee-AY-drah/

stone

A single, smooth, grey-brown river stone resting on a patch of dirt.

A common definition of piedra is a 'stone' or a piece of rock.

piedra(noun)

fA1

stone

?

a piece of rock

Also:

rock

?

small lump of mineral material

📝 In Action

Lanzó una pequeña piedra al río para hacer ondas.

A1

She threw a small stone into the river to make ripples.

Esta pared está hecha de piedra antigua.

A2

This wall is made of ancient rock.

El camino estaba lleno de piedras sueltas.

A1

The road was full of loose stones.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • roca (rock (larger piece))
  • guijarro (pebble)

Common Collocations

  • piedra caliza – limestone
  • piedra angular – cornerstone
  • duro como una piedra – hard as a rock

💡 Grammar Points

Feminine Noun Rule

Remember that 'piedra' is always feminine, so you must use 'la' or 'una' before it, and any describing words (adjectives) must also end in '-a' (e.g., 'la piedra grande').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Size

Mistake: "Using 'piedra' for huge formations like a cliff or a large mountain."

Correction: While 'piedra' means rock, for very large formations, 'roca' or 'peñasco' is usually more appropriate.

⭐ Usage Tips

Building Blocks

You will often hear 'de piedra' (made of stone) when describing materials for construction or natural objects.

A large, brilliantly cut, faceted emerald green gemstone sparkling brightly.

The word piedra can also refer to a 'gemstone' or precious stone.

piedra(noun)

fB1

gemstone

?

precious stone

,

grit

?

inner strength or determination (colloquial)

Also:

gallstone / kidney stone

?

a small hard deposit formed in the body

,

flint

?

used for starting a fire (piedra de mechero)

📝 In Action

Le regaló un anillo con una piedra preciosa.

B1

He gave her a ring with a precious gemstone.

El doctor dijo que tengo una piedra en el riñón.

B2

The doctor said I have a kidney stone.

Tuvimos que usar una piedra de mechero para encender la fogata.

B1

We had to use a lighter flint to start the campfire.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • joya (jewel)
  • cálculo (medical stone/calculus)

Common Collocations

  • piedra filosofal – philosopher's stone
  • corazón de piedra – hard-hearted, emotionless

Idioms & Expressions

  • quedarse de piedra – to be stunned or dumbfounded
  • ser la piedra en el zapato – to be a persistent nuisance or obstacle

💡 Grammar Points

Figurative Hardness

When describing a person who is cold or emotionless, you can say 'tiene un corazón de piedra' (he/she has a heart of stone).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Translating Idioms

Mistake: "Using 'piedra en el zapato' in a literal context when you mean a physical pebble."

Correction: This idiom is only used to mean a persistent problem or annoyance. Use 'guijarro' or 'piedrita' for a physical pebble in a shoe.

⭐ Usage Tips

The Game of 'Piedra, Papel, Tijera'

This is the Spanish name for 'Rock, Paper, Scissors.'

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: piedra

Question 1 of 2

¿Cuál es la mejor traducción de la frase: 'Se quedó de piedra cuando escuchó la noticia'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

pedregoso(stony, rocky) - adjective
lapidar(to stone (execute)) - verb
pedrada(stone throw / blow from a stone) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

¿Is there a difference between 'piedra' and 'roca'?

Yes, generally. 'Piedra' is the versatile word for stones, pebbles, or small/medium chunks of rock. 'Roca' usually refers to large geological formations, boulders, or the material that makes up a mountain.

How do I describe someone as being unemotional using this word?

You can use the phrase 'tener un corazón de piedra' (to have a heart of stone), meaning they are cold, hard-hearted, or lack feeling.