pistas
/PEES-tas/
clues
A magnifying glass helps find clues (pistas) to solve a puzzle.
pistas(noun)
clues
?information needed to solve a problem
,hints
?suggestions for solving a puzzle
leads
?in an investigation
,tips
?advice or suggestions
📝 In Action
El detective encontró tres pistas importantes en la escena del crimen.
A2The detective found three important clues at the crime scene.
¿Puedes darnos algunas pistas para adivinar la palabra?
A1Can you give us some hints to guess the word?
💡 Grammar Points
Always Plural, Always Feminine
Remember that 'pistas' is the plural of the feminine noun 'pista'. All words describing it (adjectives) must also be feminine plural, like 'las pistas buenas' (the good clues).
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Pistas' for Games
Use 'pistas' when playing guessing games or trivia. It's the standard word for the small pieces of information that help you solve the puzzle.
Athletes run on designated tracks (pistas).
pistas(noun)
tracks
?racing or running surfaces
,lanes
?marked sections on roads or pools
runways
?at an airport
,slopes
?ski or snowboard areas
,courts
?tennis or basketball courts
📝 In Action
Las pistas de tenis están recién pintadas.
B1The tennis courts are newly painted.
El avión espera la autorización para usar las pistas de aterrizaje.
B2The plane is waiting for clearance to use the runways.
💡 Grammar Points
Context is Key
When you hear 'pistas', look at the surrounding words. If they mention sports or travel, it likely means a physical track or lane. If they mention mysteries or questions, it means 'clues'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'Pistas' and 'Caminos'
Mistake: "Using 'pistas' for a general hiking path."
Correction: Use 'sendero' or 'camino' for a general path. 'Pista' implies a specially prepared or marked surface (like a running track or a ski slope).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pistas
Question 1 of 2
Which English word is the BEST translation for 'Las pistas de baile estaban llenas'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How can one word mean both 'clues' and 'runways'?
The core idea of 'pista' is a 'trace' or a 'path.' When it’s physical, it’s a track or runway that guides you. When it’s informational, it’s a clue that guides your thinking toward a solution. It’s a very logical extension of the same root meaning!