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How to Say "slab" in Spanish

English → Spanish

bloque

BLO-kehˈblo.ke

nounA1general
Use 'bloque' for a thick, flat, often artificial piece, like a concrete block used in construction.
A single, heavy gray concrete construction block resting on the ground.

Examples

Necesitamos un bloque de cemento para arreglar la pared.

We need a concrete block to fix the wall.

El escultor está trabajando en un bloque de mármol.

The sculptor is working on a block of marble.

Compré un bloque grande de queso para la fiesta.

I bought a large block of cheese for the party.

Always Masculine

Remember that 'bloque' is always masculine, so you must use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a/an) before it.

lancha

LAHN-chahˈlantʃa

nounC2technical
Use 'lancha' specifically for a thin, flat piece of natural stone, often used for paving or roofing.
A large, flat, grey stone slab lying on a patch of green grass.

Examples

El patio estaba pavimentado con lanchas de granito.

The patio was paved with granite flagstones.

Bajo la tierra encontraron una gran lancha de piedra.

Under the ground they found a large stone slab.

Technical Usage

This meaning is almost never used in daily conversation. You will likely only see it in books about architecture, history, or geology.

Confusing with Boat

Mistake: “Using 'lancha' to mean stone in a travel context.”

Correction: Unless you are talking about paving a floor, assume 'lancha' means a boat.

Bloque vs. Lancha

Learners often confuse 'bloque' and 'lancha' because both can refer to flat pieces. Remember that 'bloque' is typically for manufactured, thicker pieces (like concrete), while 'lancha' is specifically for thin, flat natural stone.

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