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sierra

syé-rra/ˈsjera/

“sierra” means “mountain range” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

mountain range

Also: sierra, uplands
NounfA1
Spain (Andalusia, Extremadura)
A vibrant illustration showing a long chain of jagged blue and green mountains stretching across the horizon under a bright sky, representing a mountain range.

📝 In Action

Viajamos a la sierra para hacer senderismo el fin de semana.

A2

We traveled to the mountain range to go hiking on the weekend.

La Sierra Madre es un sistema montañoso muy extenso en México.

B1

The Sierra Madre is a very extensive mountain system in Mexico.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cordillera (mountain chain)
  • montaña (mountain)

Common Collocations

  • la sierra alta – the high mountains
  • pueblo de la sierra – mountain town

saw

Also: handsaw, bandsaw
NounfB1
A simple illustration of a large hand saw with a shiny, serrated blade and a brown wooden handle, resting on a piece of wood.

📝 In Action

Cuidado con la sierra, tiene dientes muy afilados.

B1

Be careful with the saw, it has very sharp teeth.

Necesitamos una sierra eléctrica para este proyecto.

B2

We need an electric saw for this project.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • serrucho (handsaw)

Common Collocations

  • sierra de calar – jigsaw
  • dientes de la sierra – saw teeth

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "sierra" in Spanish:

bandsaw→handsaw→mountain range→saw→sierra→uplands→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: sierra

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'sierra' in its geographical meaning?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
serrar(to saw) — Verb
aserradero(sawmill) — Noun
serrano(of the mountains/highlands) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes directly from the Latin word *serra*, which meant 'saw.' It was applied to mountains because their jagged, sharp profile resembled the teeth of a saw.

First recorded: 13th century (in Romance languages)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: serraItalian: sega

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'sierra' the same as 'montaña'?

No, not exactly. 'Montaña' refers to a single, isolated mountain or peak. 'Sierra' refers to a long chain or system of mountains—a mountain range. Think of 'montaña' as one tooth, and 'sierra' as the whole saw blade!

How do I know if 'sierra' means a saw or a mountain range?

Context is key! If the sentence mentions tools, carpentry, or cutting, it means 'saw.' If the sentence mentions hiking, climate, or geography, it means 'mountain range.'