plano
/plah-noh/
flat
Depicting a perfectly flat surface or geometry.
📝 In Action
Necesitamos una superficie completamente plana para construir la pared.
A2We need a completely flat surface to build the wall.
La carretera es muy plana aquí; no hay colinas.
A1The road is very level here; there are no hills.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Agreement
As an adjective, 'plano' must match the noun it describes. Use 'plano' for masculine nouns (el muro plano) and 'plana' for feminine nouns (la tabla plana).
⭐ Usage Tips
Physical Description
Use 'plano' when describing physical surfaces that lack bumps, slopes, or curves, such as a screen, a table, or a vast field.
Representing a map or layout of a city.
📝 In Action
Perdí el plano de la ciudad y ahora no sé cómo volver.
A2I lost the map of the city and now I don't know how to get back.
El ingeniero revisó el plano antes de empezar la construcción.
B1The engineer reviewed the blueprint before starting construction.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mapa vs. Plano
Mistake: "Using 'mapa' for detailed architectural drawings."
Correction: Use 'plano' when referring to technical drawings, floor plans, or detailed street layouts. 'Mapa' is usually reserved for geographical or large-scale maps.
⭐ Usage Tips
Visualizing Space
'Plano' emphasizes the flat, two-dimensional nature of the drawing, making it perfect for blueprints or schematics.
Illustrating a cinematic or photographic shot angle.
plano(Noun)
shot
?film/photography angle
,plane
?level of focus
close-up (when combined with 'primer')
?cinema terminology
📝 In Action
El director decidió hacer un primer plano de sus ojos para mostrar la emoción.
B2The director decided to do a close-up shot of her eyes to show the emotion.
El plano general captura todo el paisaje de la montaña.
C1The wide shot captures the entire mountain landscape.
⭐ Usage Tips
Essential Film Vocabulary
If you are talking about movies or photography, you must learn the common combinations like 'primer plano' (close-up) and 'plano general' (wide shot), as these are standard terms.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: plano
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'plano' as a noun meaning 'blueprint'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'plano' mean both 'flat' and 'map/blueprint'?
The two meanings are connected! A map or blueprint is essentially a flat, two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional space. The noun meaning is derived directly from the adjective's core idea of 'flatness'.
Can I use 'plano' to mean 'plan' like in 'I have a plan for the weekend'?
No, not usually. For a chronological or intentional plan (like weekend activities or a strategy), you should use 'plan' (el plan). 'Plano' is reserved for visual diagrams, maps, or blueprints.