toneladas
“toneladas” means “tons” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
tons
Also: tonnes
📝 In Action
El camión puede llevar hasta veinte toneladas de material.
A2The truck can carry up to twenty tons of material.
Se necesitan miles de toneladas de acero para construir el puente.
B1Thousands of tons of steel are needed to build the bridge.
loads
Also: tons
📝 In Action
Tengo toneladas de cosas que hacer hoy.
B1I have loads of things to do today.
Nos divertimos toneladas en la fiesta de anoche.
B2We had tons of fun at the party last night.
Ella tiene toneladas de ropa que no usa.
B1She has loads of clothes that she doesn't wear.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: toneladas
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'toneladas' figuratively (meaning 'a lot')?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from 'tonel,' which means a large barrel or cask. Since these barrels were historically used to measure the capacity of ships and held a great deal of liquid, the word evolved to represent a very large unit of weight.
First recorded: Medieval Latin (root word)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'toneladas' a formal word?
When referring to the official unit of measurement (1,000 kg), it is a neutral term used in all contexts. When used to mean 'a lot' (e.g., 'toneladas de comida'), it is informal and common in everyday speech.
Does 'toneladas' sound heavy when used figuratively?
Yes. Using 'toneladas' (tons) suggests a massive, overwhelming amount of something—whether it's work, fun, or problems.