How do you say pound in Spanish?

The word libra covers both the weight unit (approximately 454 grams) and the British pound sterling currency.

Do all Spanish-speaking countries use libras for weight?

Countries like Mexico and parts of Central America commonly use libras in everyday commerce, while South American countries generally prefer kilograms as the standard unit.

How do you say pound as a verb in Spanish?

When pound means to hit or strike repeatedly, the correct translation is golpear, which is an entirely different word from the noun libra.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

How to Say Pound in Spanish: Libra

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Libra · noun (feminine) · LEE-brah

Pound in Spanish is libra, used both for the unit of weight and the British currency.

Libra is pronounced LEE-brah, with stress on the first syllable.

El paquete pesa alrededor de cinco libras.

The package weighs about five pounds.

Pound in Spanish: Quick Reference

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

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
libra	pound	LEE-brah	Default, widely understood
golpear	pound		when used as a verb meaning to hit

How Native Speakers Use Libra

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

Weight measurement

Necesito comprar dos libras de carne molida.

I need to buy two pounds of ground beef.

Shopping at the market.

Currency reference

La libra esterlina subió frente al euro esta semana.

The British pound rose against the euro this week.

Financial news discussion.

Describing body weight

He perdido diez libras desde que empecé la dieta.

I have lost ten pounds since I started the diet.

Health and fitness conversation.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Libra

Using pound as a verb incorrectly

Incorrect: Voy a librar la puerta.

Correct: Voy a golpear la puerta.

When pound means to hit, use golpear, not libra which refers only to the unit of measurement or currency.

Gender confusion

Incorrect: El libra es una moneda antigua.

Correct: La libra es una moneda antigua.

Libra is a feminine noun and takes la, not el.

Lock in Pound 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 Libra used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using libra in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El paquete pesa alrededor de cinco libras. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

Save, review, repeat, stay consistent

Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.

Common Questions About Pound in Spanish

How do you say pound in Spanish?: The word libra covers both the weight unit (approximately 454 grams) and the British pound sterling currency.
Do all Spanish-speaking countries use libras for weight?: Countries like Mexico and parts of Central America commonly use libras in everyday commerce, while South American countries generally prefer kilograms as the standard unit.
How do you say pound as a verb in Spanish?: When pound means to hit or strike repeatedly, the correct translation is golpear, which is an entirely different word from the noun libra.