A small green caterpillar crawling along the edge of a wooden ruler.

pulgadas

pool-GAH-dahs

nounfA2

inches?unit of measurement

📝 In Action

Mi televisor nuevo es de cincuenta pulgadas.

My new TV is fifty inches.

Necesito un tornillo que mida dos pulgadas.

I need a screw that measures two inches.

La tableta tiene una pantalla de diez pulgadas.

The tablet has a ten-inch screen.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

pulgadas cuadradas – square inches
mide varias pulgadas – it measures several inches
pulgadas de mercurio – inches of mercury (used in weather)

Idioms & Expressions

no ceder ni una pulgada – to not give up even a little bit or refuse to change your mind

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine

This word is always feminine. Use 'las' or 'unas' with it. For example: 'las pulgadas' (the inches).

Singular vs. Plural

Use 'pulgada' for exactly one, and 'pulgadas' for two or more. Even if the number is a decimal like 1.5, use the plural 'pulgadas'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Gender confusion

Mistake: "los pulgadas"

Correction: las pulgadas. Even though it's a measurement, the word itself is feminine.

⭐ Usage Tips

When to use it

Most Spanish-speaking countries use centimeters for daily life, but they use 'pulgadas' specifically for TV screens, computer monitors, and plumbing tools.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: pulgadas

Question 1 of 1

If you are buying a TV in Mexico and the salesperson says it is '40 pulgadas', what are they measuring?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

pulgada(inch (singular)) - noun

pulgar(thumb) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Spanish speakers use 'pulgadas' for height?

Rarely. Most Spanish speakers use centimeters and meters to describe a person's height. 'Pulgadas' are mostly for objects like TVs, pipes, or tools.

Is 'pulgada' related to 'pulga' (flea)?

No! Although they look similar, 'pulgada' comes from 'pulgar' (thumb). A 'pulga' is just a tiny insect.