Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Iron in Spanish: Hierro & Plancha
Hierro · noun · YEHR-roh
The English word 'iron' covers both a metal element and a household appliance, but Spanish uses separate words for each. Hierro (or fierro in colloquial Latin American speech) refers to the metallic element, while plancha is the device used to press wrinkles out of clothing. The verb form, planchar, means 'to iron' garments.
Hierro is pronounced YEHR-roh in most of Spain and Latin America, with a strong rolled double-r in the middle. Plancha is PLAHN-chah with the stress on the first syllable. Fierro is fee-EHR-roh.
La reja está hecha de hierro forjado.
The gate is made of wrought iron.
Iron in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for iron, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| hierro | iron | YEHR-roh | Default, widely understood |
| plancha | iron | the appliance used for ironing clothes | |
| planchar | iron | verb: to iron clothes | |
| fierro | iron | Latin America, colloquial variant of hierro |
How Native Speakers Use Hierro
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Discussing materials
Este puente tiene una estructura de hierro muy antigua.
This bridge has a very old iron structure.
Hierro is the standard term when talking about the metal in construction, chemistry, or history.
Household chores
Necesito comprar una plancha nueva porque la mía se rompió.
I need to buy a new iron because mine broke.
Plancha refers specifically to the electrical appliance used for pressing clothes.
Doing laundry
¿Puedes planchar esta camisa antes de la reunión?
Can you iron this shirt before the meeting?
Planchar is the regular -ar verb meaning to iron or press clothes, conjugated like other first-conjugation verbs.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Hierro
Using hierro for the appliance
Incorrect: Pásame el hierro para planchar la ropa.
Correct: Pásame la plancha para planchar la ropa.
Hierro means the metal. The clothes-pressing appliance is la plancha. Mixing them up would sound like you are asking for a chunk of metal.
Using iron as a false cognate
Incorrect: Necesito más iron en mi dieta.
Correct: Necesito más hierro en mi dieta.
Iron does not exist as a Spanish word. When talking about the nutrient in food or blood, the correct term is hierro.
Lock in Iron Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Hierro used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using hierro in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear La reja está hecha de hierro forjado. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Iron in Spanish
- What is the difference between hierro and fierro?
- Both words refer to the metal iron. Hierro is the standard and universally understood term. Fierro is a colloquial variant heard in Mexico, Argentina, and other Latin American countries, sometimes used in expressions like a todo fierro (at full speed).
- How do you say 'ironing board' in Spanish?
- An ironing board is called tabla de planchar. Literally, it means 'board for ironing.' Example: Pon la tabla de planchar en la sala (Set up the ironing board in the living room).
- Is planchar a regular verb?
- Planchar is a regular -ar verb and follows standard conjugation patterns without any stem changes: yo plancho, tú planchas, él plancha, nosotros planchamos, ellos planchan.