Inklingo

How to Say "pounds" in Spanish

English → Spanish

kilo

/kee-loh//ˈkilo/

nounA2informal
Use 'kilo' when referring to a kilogram, often used informally in Spanish to represent a similar amount of weight as English 'pounds' in casual conversation.
A person standing on a simple bathroom scale with a happy expression.

Examples

He engordado un par de kilos en vacaciones.

I've put on a couple of kilos over the holidays.

Necesito perder unos kilos antes del verano.

I need to lose a few kilos before summer.

Plural Usage

When talking about body weight in general, we usually use the plural form 'los kilos' or 'unos kilos'.

libras

LEE-brahs/ˈliβɾas/

nounA1
Use 'libras' when referring to the specific unit of weight called a pound (lb) or when referring to the British currency, pounds sterling (£).
A simple, old-fashioned balance scale with one side holding a heavy, round metal weight, illustrating a unit of weight.

Examples

Perdí cinco libras durante las vacaciones.

I lost five pounds during the holidays.

Necesito tres libras de carne molida para la receta.

I need three pounds of ground beef for the recipe.

Cambié mis euros por cien libras antes de viajar a Londres.

I exchanged my euros for one hundred pounds before traveling to London.

El precio está en libras esterlinas.

The price is in pounds sterling.

Plural Form

This word is the plural of 'libra.' Remember it is always feminine, so you say 'las libras' or 'unas libras'.

Identifying Currency

To be specific about British money, you often add 'esterlinas' (sterling): 'libras esterlinas'.

libras

LEE-brahs/ˈliβɾas/

nounA2
Use 'libras' when referring to the British currency, pounds sterling (£).
A simple, old-fashioned balance scale with one side holding a heavy, round metal weight, illustrating a unit of weight.

Examples

Cambié mis euros por cien libras antes de viajar a Londres.

I exchanged my euros for one hundred pounds before traveling to London.

Perdí cinco libras durante las vacaciones.

I lost five pounds during the holidays.

Necesito tres libras de carne molida para la receta.

I need three pounds of ground beef for the recipe.

El precio está en libras esterlinas.

The price is in pounds sterling.

Plural Form

This word is the plural of 'libra.' Remember it is always feminine, so you say 'las libras' or 'unas libras'.

Identifying Currency

To be specific about British money, you often add 'esterlinas' (sterling): 'libras esterlinas'.

Weight vs. Currency Confusion

Learners often confuse 'kilos' and 'libras' when discussing weight. Remember that 'kilo' is a common informal substitute for referring to weight in general, while 'libras' specifically means the unit 'pound' (lb) or the British currency. If you're not talking about the British pound sterling, 'kilo' is often the more natural choice for general weight discussions.

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