Inklingo
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pila

/PEE-lah/

battery

A simple illustration of a single cylindrical AA battery standing upright.

One meaning of 'pila' is battery, referring to a small disposable power source.

pila(noun)

fA1

battery

?

small, disposable power source

Also:

cell

?

individual electrical component

📝 In Action

¿Tienes una pila AA que me prestes? El control remoto no funciona.

A1

Do you have an AA battery I can borrow? The remote control isn't working.

Esta linterna usa dos pilas grandes.

A1

This flashlight uses two large batteries.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • batería (battery (often rechargeable or larger))

Common Collocations

  • cambiar las pilas – to change the batteries
  • pila recargable – rechargeable battery

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Alert

Even though it ends in '-a', remember that 'pila' is feminine. You must say 'la pila' (the battery) and 'una pila' (a battery).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Pila vs. Batería

Mistake: "Using 'batería' for a small, disposable AA or AAA battery."

Correction: Use 'pila' for the small ones you put in remotes or toys. 'Batería' is usually reserved for larger, rechargeable items like car batteries or phone batteries.

⭐ Usage Tips

Checking Power

If someone asks, '¿Tiene pila?' (Does it have battery?), they are asking if the device is charged or has working batteries inside.

A tall, colorful stack of rectangular books forming a neat, high pile.

When 'pila' means pile, it refers to a heap or stack of objects, like this stack of books.

pila(noun)

fA2

pile

?

a heap of objects

Also:

stack

?

objects neatly placed on top of one another

,

heap

?

informal accumulation

📝 In Action

Tengo una pila enorme de ropa sucia que lavar.

A2

I have an enormous pile of dirty clothes to wash.

Por favor, haz una pila con los platos limpios.

B1

Please make a stack with the clean dishes.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • montón (pile, heap, lot)
  • apilamiento (stacking)

Common Collocations

  • pila de trabajo – pile of work/backlog
  • en pila – stacked up

💡 Grammar Points

Use with 'De'

To specify what is in the pile, you always use the word 'de' (of/from). Example: 'una pila de periódicos' (a pile of newspapers).

⭐ Usage Tips

Figurative Use

You can use this meaning figuratively to talk about a large amount of abstract things, like work, homework, or emails.

A large, round, ancient stone basin, similar to a baptismal font, filled with clear water.

'Pila' can also mean basin, referring to a large stone container for water.

pila(noun)

fB1

basin

?

a large stone container for water

Also:

baptismal font

?

church fixture for baptisms

,

trough

?

stone container for washing or watering animals

📝 In Action

El bebé fue bautizado en la pila de la iglesia.

B1

The baby was baptized in the church's font.

Antes había una pila de piedra en la cocina para lavar la ropa.

B2

There used to be a stone basin in the kitchen for washing clothes.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • fuente (fountain/source)
  • lavadero (washbasin/laundry area)

Common Collocations

  • pila bautismal – baptismal font

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: pila

Question 1 of 2

If someone asks you to bring 'la pila' for the remote control, which meaning are they referring to?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

apilar(to stack, to pile up) - verb
pilón(extra amount, something given for free) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'pila' the same as 'batería'?

Not exactly. While both mean 'battery,' 'pila' is usually used for the small, disposable batteries (AA, AAA) found in household items. 'Batería' is typically used for larger, rechargeable power sources like car batteries, phone batteries, or musical drum kits.

How can I remember the different meanings of 'pila'?

Think of the core idea of accumulation or structure. A battery is a 'stack' of electrical cells, a physical pile is a 'stack' of objects, and a basin or font is a solid, structured container (like a pillar).