How to Say "trowel" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “trowel” is “paleta” — use this term for a small, handheld tool used in gardening for digging and planting, or in masonry for applying and smoothing mortar.
paleta
pah-LEH-tahpaˈleta
Examples
Usa la paleta para plantar las flores nuevas.
Use the trowel to plant the new flowers.
El pintor mezcló el azul y el blanco en su paleta.
The painter mixed blue and white on his palette.
El albañil usa la paleta para poner el cemento.
The bricklayer uses the trowel to put the cement.
Necesito una paleta nueva para jugar al ping-pong.
I need a new paddle to play ping-pong.
One word, many tools
Think of 'paleta' as any tool that is flat and has a handle.
plana
PLAH-nahˈplana
Examples
El albañil alisó el cemento con una plana ancha.
The mason smoothed the cement with a wide trowel.
El albañil usa la plana para alisar el cemento.
The mason uses the trowel to smooth the cement.
La plana mayor de la empresa decidió cambiar la estrategia.
The senior management of the company decided to change the strategy.
cuchara
koo-CHAH-rahkuˈtʃaɾa
Examples
Necesito una cuchara para aplicar yeso en la grieta.
I need a trowel (scoop-like) to apply plaster to the crack.
Necesito una cuchara para la sopa.
I need a spoon for the soup.
Revuelve el café con la cuchara pequeña.
Stir the coffee with the small spoon.
El albañil usa la cuchara para poner el cemento.
The bricklayer uses the trowel to apply the cement.
Gender and Articles
This word is feminine, so you always use 'la' or 'una'. To make it plural, just add an 's': 'las cucharas'.
Cuchara vs. Cucharada
Mistake: “Using 'cuchara' to mean 'spoonful'.”
Correction: Use 'cucharada' for the amount of food that fits in a spoon, and 'cuchara' for the physical tool itself.
Paleta vs. Plana
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