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unidades

oo-nee-DAH-desuniˈðaðes

“unidades” means “units” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

units, items

Also: pieces
NounfA1
A visual depiction of measurement units showing three identical, colorful wooden blocks arranged neatly.

📝 In Action

Necesitamos comprar diez unidades de este producto.

A1

We need to buy ten units (items) of this product.

El informe está en unidades de medida internacionales.

B1

The report is in international units of measurement.

Hay tres unidades defectuosas en el cargamento.

A2

There are three defective units (items) in the shipment.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • piezas (pieces)
  • artículos (articles/items)

Common Collocations

  • unidades de medida – units of measurement
  • unidades vendidas – units sold

departments, divisions

Also: squads
NounfB1neutral/formal
An overhead view of three distinct, color-coded office areas, representing different organizational departments.

📝 In Action

Las unidades de rescate llegaron rápidamente al lugar del accidente.

B1

The rescue units (squads/departments) arrived quickly at the accident site.

El gerente supervisa las unidades operativas de la empresa.

C1

The manager supervises the company's operational divisions.

Hay varias unidades médicas móviles disponibles para la población.

B2

There are several mobile medical units available for the population.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • secciones (sections)
  • departamentos (departments)

Common Collocations

  • unidades militares – military units
  • unidades habitacionales – housing developments (or units)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "unidades" in Spanish:

departments→divisions→items→pieces→squads→units→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: unidades

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'unidades' to mean a structured organizational division?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
ciudadesverdades
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes directly from the Latin word *unitas*, meaning 'oneness' or 'the state of being one.' This origin explains why it refers both to single countable items and to the concept of harmony or joining together (though the latter is more common in the singular form).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: unity, unitPortuguese: unidades

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'unidades' a feminine word?

The gender is determined by the singular form, 'unidad.' In Spanish, almost all nouns that end in '-dad' (like 'ciudad' or 'libertad') are feminine, so 'unidades' follows that pattern and requires feminine articles like 'las'.