Inklingo

How to Say "sword" in Spanish

English → Spanish

espada

/es-PAH-dah//esˈpaða/

nounA1General
Use 'espada' for the general, everyday term for a bladed weapon, common in historical contexts, fantasy, or when referring to the fencing sport.
A high quality illustration of a single, straight silver sword with a golden hilt resting on a neutral background.

Examples

El caballero desenvainó su espada para la batalla.

The knight drew his sword for the battle.

La espada es un símbolo de honor y justicia en muchas culturas.

The sword is a symbol of honor and justice in many cultures.

Gender Tip

Even though 'espada' starts with a stressed 'e' sound, it is always a feminine noun and does not use the masculine article 'el' (like 'agua' or 'águila'). Always say 'la espada'.

Article Confusion

Mistake: “El espada es vieja.”

Correction: La espada es vieja. (Remember 'espada' is feminine: LA espada.)

hierro

YAIR-roh/ˈje.ro/

nounC1Literary, Poetic, Historical
Use 'hierro' poetically or historically to refer to a sword, often emphasizing its material (iron) or its function as a weapon in a more literary or archaic style.
A straight, silver medieval sword with a simple crossguard and handle, standing upright.

Examples

El caballero desenvainó su hierro y se preparó para la batalla.

The knight unsheathed his sword (his iron) and prepared for battle.

Necesitas tener nervios de hierro para ser un buen negociador.

You need to have nerves of steel (nerves of iron) to be a good negotiator.

Choosing Between 'Espada' and 'Hierro'

The most common mistake is using 'hierro' in everyday conversation. 'Hierro' is a more poetic or archaic term, so unless you are aiming for a literary effect or discussing historical weaponry, 'espada' is almost always the correct choice.

Related Translations

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