Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Inches in Spanish
Pulgadas · noun · pool-GAH-dahs
The Spanish word for inches is 'pulgadas,' a feminine plural noun. The singular form is 'pulgada.' While most Spanish-speaking countries use the metric system, 'pulgadas' is still understood and used when discussing screen sizes, pipe diameters, and other measurements that are commonly expressed in inches.
Pulgadas is pronounced pool-GAH-dahs. The stress falls on the second syllable 'ga.' The singular 'pulgada' is stressed the same way: pool-GAH-dah.
La pantalla mide cincuenta y cinco pulgadas.
The screen measures fifty-five inches.
Inches in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for inches, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| pulgadas | inches | pool-GAH-dahs | Default, widely understood |
| pulgada | inches | singular form for one inch |
How Native Speakers Use Pulgadas
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Screen size
Compré un televisor de sesenta y cinco pulgadas.
I bought a sixty-five-inch television.
Describing the size of a TV screen.
Construction measurement
Necesito un tornillo de dos pulgadas de largo.
I need a two-inch-long screw.
Specifying hardware measurements in a store.
Height conversion
Mido cinco pies y ocho pulgadas.
I am five feet and eight inches tall.
Expressing height using the imperial system.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Pulgadas
Using the wrong gender
Incorrect: El pulgada es una medida imperial.
Correct: La pulgada es una medida imperial.
Pulgada is a feminine noun, so it requires the feminine article 'la' in the singular and 'las' in the plural.
Inventing a false cognate
Incorrect: La mesa mide treinta inchadas de ancho.
Correct: La mesa mide treinta pulgadas de ancho.
There is no Spanish word 'inchadas' — the correct translation of inches is 'pulgadas.'
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Common Questions About Inches in Spanish
- Do Spanish-speaking countries use inches?
- Most Spanish-speaking countries primarily use the metric system, but 'pulgadas' are still commonly referenced for TV and monitor screen sizes, pipe fittings, and some construction materials.
- Where does the word pulgada come from?
- The word 'pulgada' derives from 'pulgar,' the Spanish word for thumb, reflecting the historical practice of using the width of a thumb as an approximate inch measurement.
- How do you abbreviate pulgadas in Spanish?
- Pulgadas can be abbreviated using the standard inch symbol (″) or written as 'pulg.' in technical documents, though the full word is preferred in everyday writing.