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How to Say "paddle" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pala

PAH-lahˈpala

nounA2general
Use 'pala' when referring to the solid racket used in sports like padel or beach tennis.
A solid padel racket with a perforated surface lying on a blue sports court.

Examples

Mi pala de pádel es muy ligera.

My padel paddle is very light.

¿Me prestas tu pala para jugar?

Can I borrow your paddle to play?

remo

REH-mohˈre.mo

nounA2informal
Use 'remo' for the long, flat implement used to propel small boats through water, essentially an oar.
A single wooden oar resting on a flat surface.

Examples

Necesitamos un remo nuevo para el bote.

We need a new oar for the boat.

El remo es un ejercicio muy bueno para la espalda.

Rowing is a very good exercise for your back.

Perdí un remo en medio del lago.

I lost an oar in the middle of the lake.

Always Masculine

The word 'remo' is always masculine. Even if you are a woman rowing, you say 'el remo' for the tool.

Sport vs. Object

Spanish uses the same word for the physical oar and the sport of rowing itself.

Gender Confusion

Mistake: “la remo”

Correction: el remo. Most words ending in -o are masculine.

Pala vs. Remo

The most common mistake is using 'pala' for a boat oar, or 'remo' for a sports racket. Remember that 'pala' is for sports like padel, while 'remo' is specifically for propelling boats.

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