Piedras means rocks

Question

I dont remember ever using the word rocas , I used piedras to refer to rocks, I grew up in Southern Texas and I was taught that piedras were rocks not rocas, Which is correct? When ever I put piedras on google images it comes up with images of rocks

Different people and different regions and countries use different words, it depends. - cheeseisyummy, May 24, 2011

Answer 1

"Piedras" for small rocks. That you can "lanzar" or "tirar".

Another word (even sound similar) would be "pebbles". =) Great example coquito. - DJ_Huero, May 27, 2011

Thank you! - 00a4c226, Jun 1, 2011

Answer 2

Either one can mean rocks, but rocas usually implies large rocks, not the kind you can throw. Rocas are for climbing and clambering on, I think.

i see that rock climbing is "subir las piedras" --this is confusing when piedra is closer to "stone" than "rock". - Marsviking, May 24, 2011

Answer 3

Hola, Vengo,

It can also mean "stones" and all these other things below:

1. A stone. (f)
2. Gravel in the kidneys. (f)
3. Hail. (f)
4. Place where foundlings are exposed. (f)
5. Gun-flint. (f)
6. Hardness of things. (f)

There are also many more definitions (in combination with other words), and I'm sure "modismos", also!

Do people have gravel in their kidneys? They are kidney stones in the U of K. - afowen, May 27, 2011

Good question, I agree it is probably what we call kidney stones. Ouch! - NancyGrace, May 27, 2011

Answer 4

like this photo is piedras or rocas?

Piedras :) - 00a4c226, May 24, 2011

Answer 5

Piedras = stones

Rocas = rocks

Piedras / stones tend to be smaller, but not necessarily. However, stone is defined as

• 1. the hard compact nonmetallic material of which rocks are made
• 2. a small lump of rock
• 3. a piece of rock designed or shaped for some particular purpose

And you get a nearly circular definition when you check rock:

• 1. a large mass of stone forming a hill, cliff, promontory, or the like.
• 2. stone in the mass: buildings that stand upon rock.

You find the same circular reference in Spanish; that's why the pictures don't help. Try in English!

Answer 6

According to my Spanish/English dictionary:

piedra = stone

roca = rock

Answer 7

![alt text][2] Now are these piedras or rocas?

Piedras. - lorenzo9, May 27, 2011

Answer 8

I was offered a drink 'en la' roca'' the other day...