Inklingo

pulgada

pool-gah-dah/pulˈɡaða/

pulgada means inch in Spanish (unit of measurement).

inch

Also: small amount
NounfA2
Latin America
A small green caterpillar crawling along the top edge of a wooden ruler, showing its length.

📝 In Action

Mi televisor nuevo tiene una pantalla de cincuenta pulgadas.

A1

My new TV has a fifty-inch screen.

Necesito un tornillo que mida exactamente una pulgada.

A2

I need a screw that measures exactly one inch.

Ellos avanzaron pulgada a pulgada por el camino estrecho.

B1

They moved forward inch by inch along the narrow path.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • pulgada cuadradasquare inch
  • pulgada a pulgadainch by inch
  • pulgada cúbicacubic inch

Idioms & Expressions

  • no ceder ni una pulgadaTo not give up at all; to not budge or compromise even a little bit.

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "pulgada" in Spanish:

inchsmall amount

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: pulgada

Question 1 of 3

Which body part is the word 'pulgada' originally based on?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
pulgar(thumb)Noun
pulgarcito(Tom Thumb (little thumb))Noun
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

From the Spanish word 'pulgar' (thumb). Historically, an inch was based on the width of a person's thumb.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: polegadaFrench: pouce

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'pulgada' used for height in Mexico?

No, Mexicans usually use meters and centimeters to measure height. 'Pulgadas' are mostly for tools, hardware, and screens.

Exactly how long is a 'pulgada'?

Just like the English inch, one 'pulgada' is exactly 2.54 centimeters.

Can I use 'pulgada' to mean 'a little bit' of time?

Not really. While it can mean a small physical distance (inch by inch), it is not used for time. Use 'un poco' or 'un momento' instead.