Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

Mace in Spanish: Gas Pimienta / Maza / Macis

Gas Pimienta · noun · gahs pee-mee-EHN-tah

Mace has three different translations in Spanish depending on meaning: gas pimienta for pepper spray, maza for the medieval weapon, and macis for the cooking spice.

gahs pee-mee-EHN-tah / MAH-sah / MAH-sees

Ella lleva gas pimienta en su bolso por seguridad.

She carries mace in her purse for safety.

Mace in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for mace, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

SpanishEnglishPronunciationRegion / Register
gas pimientamacegahs pee-mee-EHN-tahDefault, widely understood
mazamacemedieval weapon
macismacethe spice mace

How Native Speakers Use Gas Pimienta

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Self-defense

El gas pimienta es legal en algunos países.

Mace (pepper spray) is legal in some countries.

Discussing personal safety products.

Historical weapon

Los caballeros medievales usaban mazas en batalla.

Medieval knights used maces in battle.

Describing historical warfare.

Cooking spice

La receta pide una pizca de macis.

The recipe calls for a pinch of mace.

Following a culinary recipe.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Gas Pimienta

Using maza for pepper spray

Incorrect: Llevo una maza para defensa personal.

Correct: Llevo gas pimienta para defensa personal.

Maza refers to the heavy medieval weapon — for the self-defense spray, use gas pimienta or aerosol de pimienta.

Confusing macis with masa

Incorrect: Añade un poco de masa a la salsa. (meaning the spice)

Correct: Añade un poco de macis a la salsa.

Masa means dough or mass, while macis is the spice obtained from the outer covering of nutmeg.

Lock in Mace 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 Gas Pimienta used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using gas pimienta in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Ella lleva gas pimienta en su bolso por seguridad. 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 Mace in Spanish

How do you say 'mace' in Spanish?
It depends on the meaning — gas pimienta for pepper spray, maza for the blunt weapon, and macis for the spice derived from nutmeg.
Is pepper spray called mace in Spanish?
Pepper spray is called gas pimienta or aerosol de pimienta in Spanish — the brand name Mace is not used as a generic term the way it is in English.
What is macis used for in cooking?
Macis is a warm, aromatic spice used in baking, sauces, and spice blends — it is the lacy red covering of the nutmeg seed and has a flavor similar to nutmeg but more delicate.