Spanish word

púa

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈpua/

Meaning

  • feminine nounspine

Example

El cactus tiene muchas púas.

The cactus has many spines.

Illustration for púa (spine)

More examples

Me clavé una púa de cactus.

I got a cactus spine stuck in me.

Core concept

Sharp pointed projection from a surface or a small rigid pick used to pluck strings.

Common phrases

  • púa de cactus

    cactus spine

Similar words

espina: Sharp, pointed growth on a stem or branch that punctures on contact.
aguja: Thin, needlelike point, as in a sewing needle or a pine needle.
astilla: Small, sharp splinter broken from hard material that can embed in skin.

Definition in Spanish

Parte dura y puntiaguda que emerge de plantas o superficies; también pieza pequeña y rígida usada para puntear o rascar las cuerdas de un instrumento.

Word origin

From medieval Castilian pua meaning 'point' or 'protuberance', later applied to natural thorns and to small picks for plucked instruments.

Usage tips

  • When there is risk of ambiguity, speakers specify 'púa de guitarra' or use 'plectro', and the written accent on the u marks the stressed syllable.

Other meanings

  • picknoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word