plancha
“plancha” means “iron” in Spanish. It has 4 different meanings depending on context:
iron
Also: ironing
📝 In Action
He comprado una plancha nueva porque la vieja no calienta.
A1I bought a new iron because the old one doesn't heat up.
Tengo una montaña de plancha acumulada desde el lunes.
B1I have a mountain of ironing piled up since Monday.
Ten cuidado, la plancha todavía está muy caliente.
A2Be careful, the iron is still very hot.
griddle, grilled

📝 In Action
Prefiero el pollo a la plancha porque es más saludable.
A2I prefer grilled chicken because it's healthier.
Limpia la plancha después de cocinar la carne.
B1Clean the griddle after cooking the meat.
Hicimos verduras a la plancha para la cena.
A2We made grilled vegetables for dinner.
he/she irons, iron!

📝 In Action
Mi abuela plancha la ropa mientras escucha la radio.
A1My grandmother irons the clothes while listening to the radio.
¡Plancha tu camisa ahora mismo!
A2Iron your shirt right now!
plank, sheet/slab

📝 In Action
Hacer la plancha es excelente para fortalecer el abdomen.
B1Doing the plank is excellent for strengthening the core.
Necesitamos una plancha de metal para reparar el techo.
B2We need a metal sheet to repair the roof.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
🗣️ Practice in a Tongue Twister
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: plancha
Question 1 of 3
If you see 'Salmón a la plancha' on a menu, how will it be cooked?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Vulgar Latin 'planca', meaning a broad board or slab. It shares roots with the English word 'plank'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'plancha' also mean the metal 'iron'?
No. For the chemical element or the raw metal, use the word 'hierro.' 'Plancha' refers to a flat sheet or the appliance.
How do I say 'to iron'?
The verb is 'planchar.' The word 'plancha' can be a form of this verb (like 'he irons').
Is 'a la plancha' the same as 'a la parilla'?
Not quite. 'A la plancha' is on a solid flat surface, while 'a la parrilla' is on a grill with bars (barbecue style).



