pila
“pila” means “battery” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
battery
Also: cell
📝 In Action
¿Tienes una pila AA que me prestes? El control remoto no funciona.
A1Do you have an AA battery I can borrow? The remote control isn't working.
Esta linterna usa dos pilas grandes.
A1This flashlight uses two large batteries.
pile
Also: stack, heap
📝 In Action
Tengo una pila enorme de ropa sucia que lavar.
A2I have an enormous pile of dirty clothes to wash.
Por favor, haz una pila con los platos limpios.
B1Please make a stack with the clean dishes.
basin
Also: baptismal font, trough
📝 In Action
El bebé fue bautizado en la pila de la iglesia.
B1The baby was baptized in the church's font.
Antes había una pila de piedra en la cocina para lavar la ropa.
B2There used to be a stone basin in the kitchen for washing clothes.
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✏️ 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▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word *pila*, which meant 'pillar,' 'pier,' or 'stone mortar.' This origin connects the three main meanings: a stack of objects (like a pillar), a stone basin (like a mortar), and later, a stack of electrical cells (a modern invention).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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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).