Inklingo

How to Say "stones" in Spanish

English → Spanish

piedras

pyeh-drahs/ˈpjéðɾas/

nounA1general
Use 'piedras' for natural, solid mineral matter found in nature, such as on a beach, in a garden, or as building material.
A close-up illustration of a small collection of smooth, naturally colored stones (gray, brown, and white) resting on a patch of light brown soil.

Examples

Las piedras del camino eran muy resbaladizas.

The stones on the path were very slippery.

Los niños recogieron muchas piedras en la playa.

The children collected many stones on the beach.

Hay que tener cuidado con las piedras en el camino.

You have to be careful with the rocks on the road.

Ella lleva un collar con piedras preciosas.

She is wearing a necklace with precious gems.

Feminine Plural

This word is the plural form of 'piedra' (stone). Remember that 'piedra' is always a feminine word, so any words describing it must also be feminine (e.g., 'piedras blancas').

Countable Noun

'Piedras' is a countable noun, meaning you can count individual stones. Use numbers or quantity words like 'muchas' (many) with it.

Gender confusion

Mistake: “Los piedras son grandes.”

Correction: Las piedras son grandes. (Since 'piedra' is feminine, the article 'las' must be used.)

rocas

/ROH-kas//ˈro.kas/

nounA1general
Use 'rocas' for larger, often immovable natural formations of mineral matter, typically encountered in geological contexts or when climbing.
A storybook illustration showing three large, rugged gray and brown boulders sitting on a patch of bright green grass under a blue sky.

Examples

La escalada de rocas requiere equipo especial.

Rock climbing requires special equipment.

Tuvimos que escalar por encima de muchas rocas para llegar a la cima.

We had to climb over many rocks to reach the summit.

El mar golpea fuertemente contra las rocas de la costa.

The sea strongly hits against the rocks on the coast.

Always Feminine Plural

Since 'roca' (rock) is a feminine word, its plural form 'rocas' requires feminine words like 'las' or 'muchas' to go with it.

Using the wrong article

Mistake: “Los rocas son duras.”

Correction: Las rocas son duras. (Remember, use 'las' because 'rocas' is feminine.)

cálculos

nounB2medical
Use 'cálculos' exclusively for medical deposits that form within the body, such as kidney stones or gallstones.

Examples

El médico le recetó un tratamiento para sus cálculos biliares.

The doctor prescribed him treatment for his gallstones.

Natural vs. Medical Stones

The most common mistake is using 'piedras' or 'rocas' when referring to medical conditions. Remember that 'cálculos' is the specific term for deposits formed inside the body, like kidney stones. 'Piedras' and 'rocas' always refer to geological or natural objects.

Related Translations

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