toneladas
/toh-neh-LAH-das/
tons
One use of toneladas is to refer to the unit of weight equal to 1,000 kilograms, often depicted by something immensely heavy (tons).
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Plural Noun
This word is the plural form of 'tonelada' (ton/tonne). Since it refers to a quantity, it is almost always used in the plural.
Informally, toneladas means 'loads' or 'a huge amount,' referring to an overwhelming quantity of something.
📝 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.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Toneladas' for Emphasis
When using this word figuratively, always follow it with the preposition 'de' (of) to emphasize how much of something you have: 'toneladas de información' (tons of information).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: toneladas
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'toneladas' figuratively (meaning 'a lot')?
📚 More Resources
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.