pluma
“pluma” means “feather” in Spanish. It has 4 different meanings depending on context:
feather
Also: down
📝 In Action
Encontré una pluma muy grande en el jardín.
A1I found a very large feather in the garden.
El pájaro perdió varias plumas durante la muda.
A2The bird lost several feathers during the molt.
pen
Also: fountain pen
📝 In Action
Necesito una pluma para firmar estos documentos importantes.
A2I need a pen to sign these important documents.
Mi abuelo todavía usa una pluma estilográfica antigua.
B1My grandfather still uses an old fountain pen.
crane
Also: jib
📝 In Action
La pluma hidráulica levantó las vigas de acero al tercer piso.
B2The hydraulic crane lifted the steel beams to the third floor.
El trabajador controlaba la pluma de la grúa con un joystick.
C1The worker controlled the boom of the crane with a joystick.
writing style
Also: writer
📝 In Action
Su pluma es reconocida por su elegancia y profundidad.
B2His writing style (or 'pen') is recognized for its elegance and depth.
Es una pluma brillante en el periodismo moderno.
C1She is a brilliant writer in modern journalism.
Vocabulary Collections
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "pluma" in Spanish:
crane→down→feather→fountain pen→jib→pen→writer→writing style→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: pluma
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'pluma' to mean a tool for writing?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin word *plūma*, meaning 'soft feather' or 'down'. Because feathers (quills) were the earliest writing instruments, the word naturally extended its meaning to the writing tool itself.
First recorded: 13th century (in Spanish)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
¿Es 'pluma' lo mismo que 'bolígrafo'?
Not exactly. 'Bolígrafo' is the standard word for a modern ballpoint pen in Spain. 'Pluma' often refers specifically to a fountain pen (pluma estilográfica), though in some Latin American countries, it can be used for any pen.
¿Por qué tiene tantos significados diferentes?
The core meaning is 'feather.' This led to 'pen' because feathers were used to write. The other meanings, like the crane arm or a writer's style, are visual or conceptual extensions of the original feather/writing tool idea.