Inklingo

How to Say "pad" in Spanish

English → Spanish

colchón

nounA1general
Use 'colchón' when referring to a mattress or a thick, soft cushion for sleeping or resting on.

Examples

El colchón de la cama nueva es muy cómodo.

The pad of the new bed is very comfortable.

yema

/YEH-mah//ˈʝema/

nounB1general
Use 'yema' to refer to the soft, sensitive tip of a finger or toe, often used for touching or feeling.
A close-up of a human fingertip touching a smooth surface.

Examples

Necesito tener cuidado de no lastimarme la yema del dedo.

I need to be careful not to hurt the pad of my finger.

Toca la pantalla con la yema de los dedos.

Touch the screen with your fingertips.

Siento el relieve con la yema del dedo.

I feel the texture with my fingertip.

Las huellas dactilares están en las yemas.

Fingerprints are on the fingertips.

Singular vs. Plural

When talking about the action of touching softly, we often use the plural 'las yemas de los dedos' (the fingertips) even if we are only using one hand.

Don't use 'fingertip' literally

Mistake: “Usa la punta del dedo para el piano.”

Correction: Usa la yema del dedo para el piano.

Pad vs. Mattress

Learners often confuse 'colchón' (mattress) with 'yema' (fingertip pad). Remember that 'colchón' refers to a large, soft item for sleeping, while 'yema' is the small, sensitive tip of your finger.

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