A close-up illustration of a small collection of smooth, naturally colored stones (gray, brown, and white) resting on a patch of light brown soil.

piedras

pyeh-drahs

nounfA1

stones?natural material, geological,rocks?smaller pieces of rock

Also:gems?precious stones, jewels,pebbles?small, smooth stones

📝 In Action

Los niños recogieron muchas piedras en la playa.

The children collected many stones on the beach.

Hay que tener cuidado con las piedras en el camino.

You have to be careful with the rocks on the road.

Ella lleva un collar con piedras preciosas.

She is wearing a necklace with precious gems.

Word Connections

Synonyms

rocas (rocks (large))
guijarros (pebbles)

Common Collocations

tirar piedras – to throw stones
piedras preciosas – precious stones (gems)

Idioms & Expressions

quedarse de piedra – to be stunned or speechless (like turning to stone)

💡 Grammar Points

Feminine Plural

This word is the plural form of 'piedra' (stone). Remember that 'piedra' is always a feminine word, so any words describing it must also be feminine (e.g., 'piedras blancas').

Countable Noun

'Piedras' is a countable noun, meaning you can count individual stones. Use numbers or quantity words like 'muchas' (many) with it.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Gender confusion

Mistake: "Los piedras son grandes."

Correction: Las piedras son grandes. (Since 'piedra' is feminine, the article 'las' must be used.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Literal vs. Figurative

While usually meaning physical rocks, 'piedras' can also refer to valuable gems (like diamonds) or be used figuratively, such as 'poner piedras en el camino' (to put obstacles in the way).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: piedras

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'piedras' to mean something valuable, rather than ordinary rocks?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

piedra(stone, rock (singular)) - noun

pedregoso(stony, rocky) - adjective

pedrería(collection of gems or jewels) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'piedras' masculine or feminine?

'Piedras' is a feminine plural noun. Its singular form is 'la piedra' (the stone), so you must always use feminine articles and words that describe it (e.g., 'las piedras grandes').

Can 'piedras' mean 'hail'?

Yes, in some regions, especially when referring to a severe storm, 'piedras' can be short for 'piedras de granizo' (hailstones). However, the most common word for hail is 'granizo'.