Inklingo

How to Say "shield" in Spanish

English → Spanish

escudo

es-COO-doh/esˈkuðo/

nounA2general
Use 'escudo' when referring to a physical shield used for defense, typically in historical or symbolic contexts, like a knight's shield or a family crest.
A round wooden shield with a central metal boss, used for protection.

Examples

El caballero levantó su escudo para detener la flecha.

The knight raised his shield to stop the arrow.

Mi familia es mi escudo contra los problemas del mundo.

My family is my shield against the world's problems.

Gender Rule

Since 'escudo' ends in -o, it is a masculine noun. Always use 'el' before it: 'el escudo', 'los escudos'.

pantalla

/pan-TA-ya//panˈtaʎa/

nounB2technical
Use 'pantalla' when referring to a protective barrier that shields from something specific, like sparks, glare, or a screen on an electronic device.
A large, sturdy wooden shield painted with a simple red and blue stripe pattern, used as a protective barrier.

Examples

El trabajador llevaba una pantalla de seguridad para protegerse de las chispas.

The worker was wearing a safety shield to protect himself from sparks.

Instalaron pantallas acústicas para reducir el ruido del tráfico.

They installed acoustic barriers (screens) to reduce traffic noise.

Escudo vs. Pantalla

Learners often confuse 'escudo' and 'pantalla' by using 'escudo' for modern protective gear. Remember that 'escudo' is primarily for a physical shield, often historical, while 'pantalla' covers more modern protective barriers or screens.

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