Inklingo

How to Say "weight" in Spanish

English → Spanish

peso

PEH-sohˈpeso

nounA1general
Use 'peso' when referring to the physical heaviness of an object or person, like in a measurement.
A massive, gray, rounded rock resting heavily on a small wooden table, causing the table legs to visibly bow under the load, illustrating physical heaviness.

Examples

Necesito saber el peso exacto de mi equipaje.

I need to know the exact weight of my luggage.

Ha perdido diez kilos de peso desde enero.

She has lost ten kilograms of weight since January.

Masculine Noun Rule

Remember that 'peso' is a masculine word, so you must use the masculine article 'el' (el peso) or the plural 'los' (los pesos).

Confusing 'peso' and 'pesado'

Mistake: “Using 'peso' as an adjective (e.g., 'La caja es mucho peso').”

Correction: Use the adjective 'pesada' instead: 'La caja es muy pesada' (The box is very heavy). 'Peso' is the noun (the thing being measured).

kilo

kee-lohˈkilo

nounA2informal
Use 'kilo' specifically when talking about body mass or weight gain/loss, often implying a measurement in kilograms.
A person standing on a simple bathroom scale with a happy expression.

Examples

He engordado un par de kilos en vacaciones.

I've put on a couple of kilos over the holidays.

Necesito perder unos kilos antes del verano.

I need to lose a few kilos before summer.

Plural Usage

When talking about body weight in general, we usually use the plural form 'los kilos' or 'unos kilos'.

opresión

nounB1general
Choose 'opresión' for a figurative sense of heaviness, such as emotional distress or a physical feeling of tightness in the chest.

Examples

Siento una fuerte opresión en el pecho cuando estoy nervioso.

I feel a strong tightness in my chest when I am nervous.

Physical vs. Figurative Heaviness

Learners often misuse 'peso' or 'opresión'. Remember, 'peso' is for literal, measurable weight (like luggage or body mass in general), while 'opresión' describes a feeling of tightness or burden, not a quantifiable measurement.

Related Translations

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