Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Stone in Spanish
Piedra · noun · PYEH-drah
The Spanish word for stone is 'piedra,' covering everything from pebbles to building stones. For larger formations, 'roca' (rock) is preferred, while in medical contexts, a kidney stone is called 'cálculo renal.'
Pronounce 'piedra' as PYEH-drah, with the stress on the first syllable. The 'ie' diphthong flows naturally into a single syllable.
Encontré una piedra bonita en la playa.
I found a beautiful stone on the beach.
stone in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for stone, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| piedra | stone | PYEH-drah | Default, widely understood |
| roca | stone | larger rock | |
| cálculo | stone | medical, as in kidney stone |
How Native Speakers Use Piedra
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
At the river
Los niños tiraban piedras al río.
The children were throwing stones into the river.
A playful outdoor activity.
Building material
La casa antigua está hecha de piedra.
The old house is made of stone.
Describing construction materials.
Idiomatic expression
No dejes piedra sin mover.
Leave no stone unturned.
Using a common Spanish expression.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Piedra
Confusing 'piedra' with 'roca'
Incorrect: Escalamos la piedra enorme.
Correct: Escalamos la roca enorme.
'Piedra' typically refers to smaller stones you can hold, while 'roca' is used for large rock formations or boulders.
Using wrong gender
Incorrect: El piedra es gris.
Correct: La piedra es gris.
'Piedra' is a feminine noun and requires the feminine article 'la,' not 'el.'
Lock in stone Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
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See Piedra used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using piedra in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Encontré una piedra bonita en la playa. 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 stone in Spanish
- What is the difference between 'piedra' and 'roca'?
- Generally, 'piedra' refers to a smaller, often hand-sized stone, while 'roca' describes a larger rock formation or boulder — though the boundary between them is flexible in everyday speech.
- How do you say 'kidney stone' in Spanish?
- A kidney stone is 'cálculo renal' or 'piedra en el riñón' in everyday language — both are widely understood in medical and casual conversations.
- Is 'piedra' used in any common Spanish expressions?
- The expression 'tirar la piedra y esconder la mano' (throw the stone and hide the hand) describes someone who causes trouble but avoids blame, and is commonly used across Spanish-speaking countries.