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How to Say "shred" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pizca

/PEES-kah//ˈpiθka/

nounB1
Use 'pizca' when referring to a tiny amount or trace of an abstract quality, like emotion or characteristic, especially in everyday conversation.
A single tiny green sprout growing out of a large pile of dry brown soil.

Examples

No tiene ni una pizca de vergüenza.

He doesn't have a shred of shame.

Sus palabras no tenían ni una pizca de verdad.

His words didn't have a bit of truth in them.

A ese plan le falta una pizca de lógica.

That plan lacks an ounce of logic.

The power of 'Ni'

When you want to say 'not a single bit,' put the word 'ni' before 'una pizca' to make your sentence much stronger.

Using it for physical size

Mistake: “Ese juguete es una pizca.”

Correction: Ese juguete es pequeñito. Use 'pizca' for amounts or qualities, not the physical size of an object.

átomo

nounC1
Choose 'átomo' for a minuscule, almost non-existent amount of something abstract, often implying a stronger degree of absence and used in slightly more formal or emphatic contexts.

Examples

Ese hombre no tiene ni un átomo de decencia.

That man doesn't have a shred of decency.

Choosing Between 'Pizca' and 'Átomo'

Learners often confuse 'pizca' and 'átomo' for 'shred'. While both mean a tiny amount, 'pizca' is more common for general abstract qualities, whereas 'átomo' suggests an even smaller, almost undetectable amount and is less frequent.

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