Inklingo

How to Say "piece" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “piece” is “pedazo” — use this for a general, often informal, portion or chunk of something larger, like food or paper.

pedazo🔊A1

Use this for a general, often informal, portion or chunk of something larger, like food or paper.

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parte🔊A1

This is a very general term for a section, segment, or portion, often used for abstract things like parts of a movie, book, or event.

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trozo🔊A1

Use this for a piece of food, material, or a physical object, often implying a cut or portion.

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pieza🔊A2

This refers to a distinct part or component of a larger whole, like a piece of a puzzle, machinery, or furniture.

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fragmento🔊A2

Use this when referring to a small broken or detached piece of a physical object, like shards of glass or pottery.

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obra🔊A2

This refers to a complete work, especially in arts or literature, like a musical composition or a novel.

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composiciónA2

This specifically refers to a piece of creative work, particularly in music or writing, like an essay or a musical score.

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prenda🔊A1

This is a common shorthand for 'prenda de vestir,' meaning a single item of clothing or garment.

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unidad🔊A1

Use this when counting or referring to individual items or units, especially in a commercial or technical context.

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figura🔊B2

This refers to a game piece or token, most commonly used in board games like chess.

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pipa🔊B2

This is slang for a handgun or firearm, used informally.

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presa🔊C1

This refers to a portion of food, especially meat, that has been served or prepared.

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English → Spanish

pedazo

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

nounA1general
Use this for a general, often informal, portion or chunk of something larger, like food or paper.
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.

parte

PAR-tehˈpaɾte

nounA1general
This is a very general term for a section, segment, or portion, often used for abstract things like parts of a movie, book, or event.
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.

trozo

TROH-sohˈtɾoso

nounA1general
Use this for a piece of food, material, or a physical object, often implying a cut or 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-sahˈpjeθa

nounA2general
This refers to a distinct part or component of a larger whole, like a piece of a puzzle, machinery, or furniture.
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.

fragmento

frahg-MEHN-tohfɾaɣˈmento

nounA2general
Use this when referring to a small broken or detached piece of a physical object, like shards of glass or pottery.
A single piece of a broken blue ceramic bowl lying on a plain surface.

Examples

Había fragmentos de vidrio por todo el suelo.

There were shards of glass all over the floor.

Los arqueólogos encontraron un fragmento de cerámica antigua.

The archaeologists found a piece of ancient pottery.

Solo recuperaron un pequeño fragmento del avión.

They only recovered a small fragment of the plane.

Always Masculine

Even if the object it comes from is feminine (like 'una botella'), the word 'fragmento' itself is always masculine.

Connecting with 'De'

To say what the piece is made of, use 'fragmento de' followed by the material or object.

Using 'fragmento' for food

Mistake: “Un fragmento de pastel.”

Correction: Un trozo de pastel. Use 'trozo' or 'pedazo' for food portions; 'fragmento' sounds like the cake exploded into tiny bits!

obra

OH-brahˈoβɾa

nounA2formal
This refers to a complete work, especially in arts or literature, like a musical composition or a novel.
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).

composición

nounA2formal
This specifically refers to a piece of creative work, particularly in music or writing, like an essay or a musical score.

Examples

Tengo que escribir una composición para mi clase de español.

I have to write an essay for my Spanish class.

prenda

PREN-dahˈpɾenda

nounA1general
This is a common shorthand for 'prenda de vestir,' meaning a single item of clothing or garment.
A single blue sweater neatly folded on a plain surface.

Examples

Lava esta prenda a mano para que no se arruine.

Wash this garment by hand so it doesn't get ruined.

La tienda tiene prendas de vestir muy elegantes.

The store has very elegant articles of clothing.

Solo puedes llevar tres prendas al probador.

You can only take three items into the fitting room.

One vs. Many

Think of 'ropa' as the whole pile of clothes (like 'furniture') and 'prenda' as just one single item (like 'a chair').

Always Feminine

Even if you are talking about a 'manly' item like a tie or a suit, the word 'prenda' always stays feminine (la prenda).

Using 'prenda' for everything

Mistake: “Me gusta tu prenda.”

Correction: Me gusta tu ropa (for the whole outfit) or Me gusta esa prenda (for one specific item).

unidad

oo-nee-DAHDu.niˈðað

nounA1formal
Use this when counting or referring to individual items or units, especially in a commercial or technical 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).

figura

fee-GOO-rahfiˈɣuɾa

nounB2general
This refers to a game piece or token, most commonly used in board games like chess.
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.

pipa

pee-pahˈpipa

nounB2informal
This is slang for a handgun or firearm, used informally.
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.

presa

PREH-sahˈpɾe.sa

nounC1general
This refers to 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.

General vs. Specific Portions

The most common mistake is confusing general portion words like 'pedazo' and 'trozo' with more specific terms. While 'pedazo' can sometimes be used for food, 'trozo' is more common for a cut of food. Avoid using 'pedazo' for abstract concepts where 'parte' is more appropriate.

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