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How to Say "plank" in Spanish

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tabla

TAH-blah/ˈtaβla/

nounA1general
Use 'tabla' for a long, flat, and typically unfinished piece of wood, such as for construction or repairs.
A close-up illustration of a single, flat, unfinished rectangular piece of wood, known as a board.

Examples

Necesitamos una tabla de madera para reparar la cerca.

We need a wooden plank to repair the fence.

Por favor, usa la tabla de cortar para el pan.

Please use the cutting board for the bread.

Mi hermano compró una tabla de surf nueva para el verano.

My brother bought a new surfboard for the summer.

Gender Check

Remember that 'tabla' is always feminine, so you must use 'la tabla' or 'una tabla'.

tablero

/tah-BLEH-roh//taˈβleɾo/

nounA2general
Choose 'tablero' when referring to a finished, flat surface, often used for games, as a tabletop, or a specific component.
A wooden chess board with a few game pieces on it.

Examples

Pon las piezas sobre el tablero de ajedrez.

Put the pieces on the chessboard.

El carpintero cortó un tablero de madera para la mesa.

The carpenter cut a wooden board for the table.

Gender Tip

Since this word ends in '-o', it is almost always masculine. You should use 'el' or 'un' with it.

Tablero vs. Tabla

Mistake: “Using 'tabla' for a game board.”

Correction: Use 'tablero' for a board with a specific design or function (like a game or a panel), and 'tabla' for a raw piece of wood or a list of data.

Tabla vs. Tablero Confusion

Learners often confuse 'tabla' and 'tablero' because both refer to flat pieces. Remember that 'tabla' is usually for raw wood, while 'tablero' implies a more finished surface, like for a game or a desk.

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