How to Say "stone" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “stone” is “piedra” — use 'piedra' for a general, small to medium-sized piece of rock, like one you might skip on water or find on a path..
piedra
pee-AY-drah/'pjeðɾa/
Examples
Me golpeó una piedra mientras caminaba por la montaña.
A stone hit me while I was walking in the mountains.
Lanzó una pequeña piedra al río para hacer ondas.
She threw a small stone into the river to make ripples.
Esta pared está hecha de piedra antigua.
This wall is made of ancient rock.
El camino estaba lleno de piedras sueltas.
The road was full of loose stones.
Feminine Noun Rule
Remember that 'piedra' is always feminine, so you must use 'la' or 'una' before it, and any describing words (adjectives) must also end in '-a' (e.g., 'la piedra grande').
Confusing Size
Mistake: “Using 'piedra' for huge formations like a cliff or a large mountain.”
Correction: While 'piedra' means rock, for very large formations, 'roca' or 'peñasco' is usually more appropriate.
roca
ROH-kah/ˈroka/
Examples
Los excursionistas admiraron la imponente roca a lo lejos.
The hikers admired the imposing rock in the distance.
El escalador se agarró a una roca para no caer.
The climber held onto a rock so he wouldn't fall.
Vimos muchas rocas grandes cerca del mar.
We saw many large rocks near the sea.
La geología es el estudio de las rocas y la tierra.
Geology is the study of rocks and the earth.
Feminine Noun Rule
Remember that 'roca' is always feminine, so you must use feminine articles and adjectives: 'la roca' (the rock), 'una roca grande' (a big rock).
hueso
WAY-sohˈwe.so
Examples
No te comas el hueso del mango.
Don't eat the stone of the mango.
Ten cuidado de no morder el hueso del aguacate.
Be careful not to bite the avocado pit.
Tiré los huesos de las cerezas a la basura.
I threw the cherry pits in the trash.
Piedra vs. Roca
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