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How to Say "parts" in Spanish

English → Spanish

partes

/PAR-tess//ˈpaɾ.tes/

nounA1general
Use 'partes' when referring to general components or sections of a larger whole, not necessarily mechanical.
Four brightly colored, distinct geometric puzzle pieces lying scattered on a wooden surface, representing components of a whole.

Examples

El libro tiene cinco partes.

The book has five parts.

El coche necesita partes nuevas.

The car needs new parts.

Me gustan todas las partes de la película.

I like all the parts of the movie.

Ambas partes están de acuerdo con los términos.

Both sides agree with the terms.

Always Feminine

'Partes' comes from the word 'la parte', which is a feminine noun. So, even though it ends in '-es', you should use feminine words like 'las' or 'unas' with it: 'las partes', not 'los partes'.

Party vs. Parts

Mistake: “Voy a dos partes este fin de semana.”

Correction: Voy a dos fiestas este fin de semana. 'Partes' means pieces or sides. For a celebration, always use 'fiesta'.

piezas

/pyeh-sas//ˈpje.sas/

nounA1general
Use 'piezas' when referring to individual components, especially of machinery, furniture, or puzzles.
A collection of brightly colored, scattered jigsaw puzzle pieces, representing fragments of a whole.

Examples

Perdí una pieza del rompecabezas.

I lost a piece of the puzzle.

Faltan dos piezas para terminar el mueble.

Two pieces are missing to finish the furniture.

Compré piezas de repuesto para el coche.

I bought replacement parts for the car.

Feminine Plural Noun

'Piezas' is the plural form of the feminine noun 'pieza', so it always needs feminine plural articles and adjectives (e.g., 'las piezas', 'piezas pequeñas').

Confusing 'piezas' and 'pedazos'

Mistake: “Using 'pedazos' (meaning 'shards' or 'shattered bits') when you mean 'piezas' (meaning 'functional components').”

Correction: Use 'piezas' when referring to functional parts of a whole (like a machine or a kit), and 'pedazos' when referring to something broken or torn.

órganos

nounA2general
Use 'órganos' exclusively when referring to the functional parts of a living body, either human or animal.

Examples

El trasplante de riñón es un procedimiento común para donar órganos.

Kidney transplant is a common procedure for donating organs.

Confusing 'partes' and 'piezas'

The most common mistake is using 'partes' for mechanical components where 'piezas' is more specific. While 'partes' can sometimes work, 'piezas' is the preferred term for individual pieces of a machine or assembly.

Related Translations

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