Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Shovel in Spanish: Pala
Pala · noun (feminine) · PAH-lah
Shovel in Spanish is pala, a feminine noun used for any digging or scooping tool.
Pala is PAH-lah, two simple syllables with stress on PAH.
Necesito una pala para cavar un hoyo en el jardín.
I need a shovel to dig a hole in the garden.
Shovel in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for shovel, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| pala | shovel | PAH-lah | Default, widely understood |
| paleta | shovel | small hand shovel or trowel |
How Native Speakers Use Pala
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Gardening task
Tomé la pala y empecé a plantar los arbustos.
I grabbed the shovel and started planting the bushes.
Garden work.
Snow removal
Después de la tormenta tuve que usar la pala para quitar la nieve.
After the storm I had to use the shovel to clear the snow.
Winter weather context.
Construction site
Los trabajadores cavaron la zanja con palas mecánicas.
The workers dug the trench with mechanical shovels.
Construction vocabulary.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Pala
Confusing pala with palabra
Incorrect: Pásame la palabra para cavar.
Correct: Pásame la pala para cavar.
Palabra means word; pala is shovel—these sound somewhat similar but mean completely different things.
Using excavadora for a hand shovel
Incorrect: Dame la excavadora para el jardín.
Correct: Dame la pala para el jardín.
Excavadora is a mechanical excavator or backhoe; for a hand tool, use pala.
Lock in Shovel 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 Pala used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using pala in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Necesito una pala para cavar un hoyo en el jardín. 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 Shovel in Spanish
- How do you say shovel in Spanish?
- The word is pala, which covers all types from garden shovels and snow shovels to coal shovels—essentially any tool with a flat blade for digging or scooping.
- What is the difference between pala and paleta?
- Pala is a full-sized shovel, while paleta can mean a small trowel, a paddle, a popsicle, or a shoulder blade depending on context and region.
- How do you say to shovel in Spanish?
- The verb is palear (to shovel), as in palear la nieve (to shovel snow) or palear la tierra (to shovel dirt).