Inklingo

How to Say "piece" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “piece” is “parte” — use 'parte' to refer to a section or segment of something, like a part of a movie, a chapter of a book, or a portion of time..

parte🔊A1

Use 'parte' to refer to a section or segment of something, like a part of a movie, a chapter of a book, or a portion of time.

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pedazo🔊A1

Use 'pedazo' when referring to a physical portion or chunk of something solid, like a piece of cake, paper, or rock.

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trozo🔊A1

Use 'trozo' for a piece of food, material, or a section of an object, often implying a smaller or more manageable portion.

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pieza🔊A2

Use 'pieza' for a component, a part of a set, or an item that makes up a larger whole, such as puzzle pieces or car parts.

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obra🔊A2

Use 'obra' to refer to a work of art, literature, or music, essentially a complete creation or piece of work.

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figura🔊B2

Use 'figura' specifically for a game token or playing piece, like those used in chess or checkers.

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presa🔊C1

Use 'presa' to mean a portion of food, especially meat, that has been served or prepared.

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pipa🔊B2

Use 'pipa' as slang for a handgun or firearm.

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unidad🔊A1

Use 'unidad' when referring to a single, countable item or unit, often in a commercial or manufacturing context.

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English → Spanish

parte

/PAR-teh//ˈpaɾte/

nounA1general
Use 'parte' to refer to a section or segment of something, like a part of a movie, a chapter of a book, or a portion of time.
A colorful jigsaw puzzle with one final piece being fitted into place by a hand.

Examples

La primera parte de la película fue un poco lenta.

The first part of the movie was a bit slow.

Quiero una parte del pastel de chocolate.

I want a piece of the chocolate cake.

Esa es mi parte favorita de la canción.

That's my favorite part of the song.

Always Feminine: 'la parte'

Even though it ends in '-e', this word is almost always feminine. Remember to use 'la', 'una', and adjectives that end in '-a'. For example, 'la parte más bonita' (the prettiest part).

Using 'el' instead of 'la'

Mistake: “Me gusta el parte de atrás del coche.”

Correction: Me gusta la parte de atrás del coche. Unless you mean 'official report', always use 'la' with this meaning.

pedazo

peh-DAH-thoh (Spain) / peh-DAH-soh (Latin America)/peˈðaθo/

nounA1general
Use 'pedazo' when referring to a physical portion or chunk of something solid, like a piece of cake, paper, or rock.
A large, circular brown cookie lying on a surface, with one small, jagged piece cleanly broken off and resting beside the main cookie.

Examples

Necesito un pedazo de papel para escribir una nota.

I need a piece of paper to write a note.

El jarrón se cayó y se rompió en mil pedazos.

The vase fell and broke into a thousand pieces.

Guárdame un pedazo de pizza, por favor.

Save me a slice of pizza, please.

Always Masculine

Even when referring to items that might be feminine (like 'la tarta'), 'pedazo' itself is always masculine: 'un pedazo de tarta' (a piece of cake).

Confusing 'piece' and 'part'

Mistake: “Usar 'parte' para una porción física pequeña (e.g., 'una parte de pastel').”

Correction: Use 'pedazo' or 'trozo' for a physical portion you can hold or eat. 'Parte' refers more to a section or role.

trozo

TROH-soh/ˈtɾoso/

nounA1general
Use 'trozo' for a piece of food, material, or a section of an object, often implying a smaller or more manageable portion.
A thick, rustic slice of freshly baked bread resting next to the main loaf from which it was cut.

Examples

Dame un trozo de pan, por favor.

Give me a piece of bread, please.

Encontré un trozo de vidrio en el suelo.

I found a piece of glass on the floor.

Necesitamos un trozo de cuerda más largo.

We need a longer piece of rope.

Masculine Noun

Remember that 'trozo' is always masculine, so you must use the masculine articles: 'el trozo' (the piece) or 'un trozo' (a piece).

Using 'la' instead of 'el'

Mistake: “La trozo de queso es grande.”

Correction: El trozo de queso es grande. (Even though it ends in 'o', it's easy to forget the gender, but always use 'el'.)

pieza

pee-EH-sah/ˈpjeθa/

nounA2general
Use 'pieza' for a component, a part of a set, or an item that makes up a larger whole, such as puzzle pieces or car parts.
A single, brightly colored puzzle piece floating slightly apart from the main, incomplete puzzle it belongs to, illustrating a component.

Examples

Perdí una pieza del rompecabezas y ahora no puedo terminarlo.

I lost one piece of the puzzle and now I can't finish it.

Necesitamos reemplazar esta pieza rota del motor.

We need to replace this broken part of the engine.

obra

OH-brah/ˈoβɾa/

nounA2general
Use 'obra' to refer to a work of art, literature, or music, essentially a complete creation or piece of work.
A finished painting resting on a wooden easel in a brightly lit studio, representing an artistic creation.

Examples

Esta novela es su mejor obra hasta la fecha.

This novel is his best work to date.

La galería expuso las obras de varios artistas jóvenes.

The gallery exhibited the works of several young artists.

Always Feminine

Even though 'obra' starts with a stressed 'o,' it is always a feminine noun and takes the feminine article 'la' (la obra).

figura

fee-GOO-rah/fiˈɣuɾa/

nounB2games
Use 'figura' specifically for a game token or playing piece, like those used in chess or checkers.
A single, polished wooden chess knight piece standing alone.

Examples

La figura del caballo se movió dos casillas.

The knight piece moved two squares.

El libro de texto incluye una figura que explica el proceso.

The textbook includes a diagram that explains the process.

Esta figura de porcelana es muy antigua.

This porcelain figure (statue) is very old.

presa

PREH-sah/ˈpɾe.sa/

nounC1culinary
Use 'presa' to mean a portion of food, especially meat, that has been served or prepared.
A storybook illustration showing a single, large, cooked chicken drumstick resting on a plain white ceramic plate.

Examples

Pedimos dos presas de pollo y una porción de papas.

We ordered two pieces of chicken and a portion of fries.

La presa del cerdo ibérico es un corte muy apreciado en España.

The Iberian pork 'presa' (a specific cut) is a very appreciated cut in Spain.

pipa

/pee-pah//ˈpipa/

nounB2slang
Use 'pipa' as slang for a handgun or firearm.
A simple depiction of a handgun laying flat on a neutral surface.

Examples

El ladrón sacó una pipa y nos asustamos.

The thief pulled out a piece (gun) and we got scared.

unidad

oo-nee-DAHD/u.niˈðað/

nounA1commercial
Use 'unidad' when referring to a single, countable item or unit, often in a commercial or manufacturing context.
A solitary, smooth green cube sitting on a flat surface, representing a standard unit of measure.

Examples

Necesito diez unidades de este producto.

I need ten units of this product.

El metro es la unidad básica de longitud.

The meter is the basic unit of length.

Compré una unidad flash para guardar mis archivos.

I bought a flash drive (unit) to save my files.

Gender Trap: Words ending in -dad

Most Spanish nouns ending in -dad, like 'unidad,' are feminine. Always use 'la' or 'una' before them.

Confusing Item and Time

Mistake: “No venden 'por tiempo', solo por 'unidad'.”

Correction: The correct phrase for selling individually is 'por unidad' (by the item).

Confusing 'pedazo', 'trozo', and 'parte'

Learners often confuse 'pedazo', 'trozo', and 'parte'. Remember that 'pedazo' and 'trozo' usually refer to physical portions of food or materials, while 'parte' is more abstract, referring to sections of time, events, or works.

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