plana
/PLAH-nah/
flat
The word 'plana' describes a flat surface, like this level field.
📝 In Action
La superficie de la mesa es totalmente plana.
A1The surface of the table is totally flat.
Necesito una piedra plana para pintar.
A2I need a flat stone to paint on.
💡 Grammar Points
Feminine Agreement
This word is the feminine form of 'plano.' It is used only when describing feminine things, like 'una mesa' (a table) or 'la pantalla' (the screen).
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Objects
Use this when you want to say something doesn't have any bumps or curves.
In a notebook or newspaper, 'plana' refers to a single page.
plana(noun)
page
?one side of a sheet in a notebook or newspaper
writing exercise
?repeating a word or sentence on a full page
📝 In Action
El profesor nos pidió hacer una plana de la letra 'A'.
A2The teacher asked us to do a full page of the letter 'A'.
La noticia salió en la primera plana del periódico.
B1The news appeared on the front page of the newspaper.
💡 Grammar Points
Plana vs. Página
While both mean 'page,' 'plana' is often used specifically for the front page of a newspaper or a school writing exercise where you repeat a phrase.
❌ Common Pitfalls
School usage
Mistake: "Using 'página' for handwriting practice."
Correction: Use 'plana' when referring to the repetitive exercise of filling a page with handwriting practice.
A 'plana' is also a masonry tool used for smoothing surfaces.
📝 In Action
El albañil usa la plana para alisar el cemento.
B2The mason uses the trowel to smooth the cement.
La plana mayor de la empresa decidió cambiar la estrategia.
C1The senior management of the company decided to change the strategy.
⭐ Usage Tips
The 'Plana Mayor' Idiom
Even if you aren't in construction, you will hear 'plana mayor' used to refer to the 'big bosses' or 'high command' of any organization.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: plana
Question 1 of 2
If you are reading the most important news of the day, where are you looking?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'plana' mean the same as 'página'?
Mostly yes, but 'plana' usually refers to the physical surface of one side of a page, whereas 'página' is the general word for a page in a book.
What does 'hacer una plana' mean in school?
It means to fill an entire page repeating a single letter, word, or sentence to practice handwriting.