How to Say "ton" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “ton” is “tonelada” — use 'tonelada' when referring to the specific unit of weight (1,000 kilograms) or as an informal way to say a large, indefinite amount of something.
tonelada
toh-neh-LAH-dahtoneˈlaða
Examples
El camión transportaba una tonelada de ladrillos.
The truck was carrying a ton of bricks.
El elefante africano puede pesar hasta seis toneladas.
The African elephant can weigh up to six tons.
Este camión tiene prohibido llevar más de una tonelada de carga.
This truck is prohibited from carrying more than one ton of cargo.
La fábrica produce diez toneladas de papel al día.
The factory produces ten tons of paper per day.
The 'De' Connection
Just like in English you say 'a ton OF sand', in Spanish you always need the word 'de' after 'tonelada' before the thing you are measuring.
Always Feminine
Even if the thing you are weighing is a masculine word (like 'hierro' / iron), the word 'tonelada' stays feminine. Use 'una' or 'la'.
Plural for Emphasis
While you can say 'una tonelada' (a ton), it is very common to use the plural 'toneladas de...' (tons of...) to sound more expressive and enthusiastic.
Use with Abstract Ideas
You can use this word for things you can't actually weigh, like 'toneladas de amor' (tons of love) or 'toneladas de problemas' (tons of problems).
Gender Confusion
Mistake: “El tonelada de cemento.”
Correction: La tonelada de cemento.
Forgetting the 'S'
Mistake: “Tengo tonelada de deberes.”
Correction: Tengo una tonelada de deberes / Tengo toneladas de deberes.
tonelada
toh-neh-LAH-dahtoneˈlaða
Examples
Tengo una tonelada de cosas que hacer este fin de semana.
I have a ton of things to do this weekend.
El elefante africano puede pesar hasta seis toneladas.
The African elephant can weigh up to six tons.
Este camión tiene prohibido llevar más de una tonelada de carga.
This truck is prohibited from carrying more than one ton of cargo.
La fábrica produce diez toneladas de papel al día.
The factory produces ten tons of paper per day.
The 'De' Connection
Just like in English you say 'a ton OF sand', in Spanish you always need the word 'de' after 'tonelada' before the thing you are measuring.
Always Feminine
Even if the thing you are weighing is a masculine word (like 'hierro' / iron), the word 'tonelada' stays feminine. Use 'una' or 'la'.
Plural for Emphasis
While you can say 'una tonelada' (a ton), it is very common to use the plural 'toneladas de...' (tons of...) to sound more expressive and enthusiastic.
Use with Abstract Ideas
You can use this word for things you can't actually weigh, like 'toneladas de amor' (tons of love) or 'toneladas de problemas' (tons of problems).
Gender Confusion
Mistake: “El tonelada de cemento.”
Correction: La tonelada de cemento.
Forgetting the 'S'
Mistake: “Tengo tonelada de deberes.”
Correction: Tengo una tonelada de deberes / Tengo toneladas de deberes.
batallón
Examples
Un batallón de fans esperaba al cantante en el aeropuerto.
An army of fans was waiting for the singer at the airport.
Tonelada vs. Batallón
Related Translations
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