Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Wool in Spanish
Lana · noun · LAH-nah
The Spanish word for wool is lana. It is a feminine noun — la lana — and refers to the fiber obtained from sheep, alpacas, and similar animals. Lana is used for the raw material, yarn, and fabric alike. In Mexican Spanish, lana is also widely used as slang for money, much like 'dough' or 'cash' in English.
Lana is pronounced LAH-nah. It is a simple two-syllable word with stress on the first syllable.
Esta bufanda está hecha de lana pura de alpaca.
This scarf is made of pure alpaca wool.
Wool in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for wool, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| lana | wool | LAH-nah | Default, widely understood |
| lana de oveja | wool | sheep's wool — for specificity | |
| lana | wool | also slang for money in Mexico |
How Native Speakers Use Lana
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Shopping for clothing
Busco un suéter de lana para el invierno.
I am looking for a wool sweater for winter.
Using lana to describe the material of a garment.
Describing texture
La lana de merino es muy suave y no pica como otras lanas.
Merino wool is very soft and does not itch like other wools.
Comparing different types of wool.
Crafting
Mi abuela me enseñó a tejer con lana cuando era niña.
My grandmother taught me to knit with wool when I was a girl.
Lana used in the context of knitting or crafting.
Mexican slang
No traigo lana, ¿me prestas para el café?
I do not have any cash — can you lend me some for coffee?
Lana used as slang for money in Mexico.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Lana
Using the wrong article
Incorrect: El lana es un material muy caliente.
Correct: La lana es un material muy cálido.
Lana is a feminine noun and requires the feminine article la. Also, for describing warmth of materials, cálido is more appropriate than caliente.
Misunderstanding lana as money outside Mexico
Incorrect: No tengo lana. (said in Spain expecting to be understood as 'I have no money')
Correct: No tengo dinero. (universally understood)
The slang use of lana for money is primarily Mexican. In Spain and many other countries, people may not understand it. Use dinero for universal clarity.
Lock in Wool 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 Lana used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using lana in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Esta bufanda está hecha de lana pura de alpaca. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Wool in Spanish
- Is lana only from sheep?
- While lana most commonly refers to sheep's wool, it is also used for fibers from alpacas, llamas, and similar animals. You can specify by saying lana de alpaca, lana de oveja (sheep's wool), etc.
- Why does lana mean money in Mexico?
- The slang usage likely originated because wool was a valuable trade commodity in colonial Mexico. Over time, lana became informal shorthand for money, similar to how English uses 'bread' or 'dough' for cash.
- How do I say 'woolen' as an adjective?
- You can say de lana (made of wool). For example, 'gorro de lana' means 'woolen hat.' There is no single-word adjective equivalent to 'woolen' in common Spanish.