The weight and mass vocabulary in Spanish, including units like grams and kilograms as well as common verbs and phrases for measuring and talking about weight.
Common Units of Weight and Mass
These are the basic units of weight and mass used in Spanish-speaking countries.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| gramo | gramos | gram | grams | Un paquete pesa 500 gramos. | A package weighs 500 grams. |
| kilogramo | kilogramos | kilogram | kilograms | Él pesa 70 kilogramos. | He weighs 70 kilograms. |
| miligramo | miligramos | milligram | milligrams | Toma 10 miligramos de medicina. | Take 10 milligrams of medicine. |
| tonelada | toneladas | ton | tons | La máquina pesa una tonelada. | The machine weighs one ton. |
| libra | libras | pound | pounds | Compré dos libras de manzanas. | I bought two pounds of apples. |
| onza | onzas | ounce | ounces | Hay una onza de oro en la caja. | There is an ounce of gold in the box. |
The machine weighs one ___
tonelada
'una tonelada' means one ton, used for very heavy objects like machines.
Verbs and Phrases for Measuring Weight
These verbs and expressions will help you describe the process of weighing and measuring.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| pesar | - | to weigh | - | ¿Cuánto pesa esta caja? | How much does this box weigh? |
| medir | - | to measure | - | Mide el peso con cuidado. | Measure the weight carefully. |
| calcular | - | to calculate | - | Calcula el peso total. | Calculate the total weight. |
| estimar | - | to estimate | - | Estiman que pesa 10 kilos. | They estimate it weighs 10 kilos. |
| aumentar | - | to increase | - | El peso aumentó cinco kilos. | The weight increased by five kilos. |
| disminuir | - | to decrease | - | Disminuyó su peso corporal. | He decreased his body weight. |
They ___ it weighs 10 kilos
estiman
'Estiman que pesa 10 kilos' means 'They estimate it weighs 10 kilos.' The verb 'estimar' means 'to estimate.'
Descriptive Adjectives and Common Nouns
These adjectives and nouns will help you describe weight-related conditions and objects.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| pesado | pesados | heavy | heavy (plural) | El saco es muy pesado. | The bag is very heavy. |
| ligero | ligeros | light | light (plural) | El paquete es ligero. | The package is light. |
| exacto | exactos | exact | exact (plural) | El peso es exacto. | The weight is exact. |
| aproximado | aproximados | approximate | approximate (plural) | El peso es aproximado. | The weight is approximate. |
| balanza | balanzas | scale | scales | Usa la balanza para pesar. | Use the scale to weigh. |
| peso | pesos | weight | weights | El peso está en la etiqueta. | The weight is on the label. |
Mental Model
Weight and mass vocabulary in Spanish is largely built around units of measurement, verbs related to weighing, and adjectives that describe weight. The most common units are gramo, kilogramo, and tonelada, but you may also encounter libra and onza in certain contexts. The verb pesar is the most straightforward way to say "to weigh," while medir, calcular, and estimar offer additional nuance for measurement and estimation. Adjectives like pesado (heavy) and ligero (light) help describe the weight of objects. Scales are referred to as balanza, and peso is the general noun for weight. Understanding these categories will help you navigate conversations about weight and mass in Spanish.
Flashcards (1 of 18)
- English Singular: gram
- English Plural: grams
- English Example: A package weighs 500 grams.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
