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"Cordones" is a form of "cordón", a noun which is often translated as "cord". "Piolas" is a form of "piola", a noun which is often translated as "string". Learn more about the difference between "cordones" and "piolas" below.
el cordón(
kohr
-
dohn
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (string)
2. (footwear)
a. cord (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
El cordón de la aspiradora es corto y no llego a esa parte de la habitación.The cord of the vacuum is short and I can't reach that part of the room.
b. flex (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El especialista cortó el cordón rojo para desactivar la bomba.The specialist cut the red flex to deactivate the bomb.
4. (nautical)
a. strand
El cabo no era resistente porque tenía pocos cordones.The rope was not strong enough because it was made of few strands.
5. (anatomy)
a. cord
El obstetra cortó el cordón umbilical y le dio el recién nacido a la madre.The obstetrician cut the umbilical cord and handed the newborn to its mother.
a. cordon
La policía antidisturbios formó un cordón para evitar que los manifestantes siguieran marchando.The riot police formed a cordon to prevent the protesters from continuing to march.
7. (medicine)
a. cordon
Se evacuó la zona donde se desató la epidemia y se estableció un cordón sanitario.The region where the epidemic broke out was evacuated and a cordon sanitaire was installed.
8. (concrete rim) (Costa Rica) (South America)
Regionalism used in Costa Rica
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
a. curb (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Cuando estaciones, ten cuidado de que las ruedas del coche no queden tocando el cordón.When parking, make sure the tires of the car are not touching the curb.
b. kerb (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Matías se sentó en el cordón y volvió a poner la cadena de la bicicleta.Matias sat on the kerb and put the bicycle chain back on.
a. chain
El valle está rodeado por un cordón de cerros.The valley is surrounded by a chain of hills.
la piola(
pyoh
-
lah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (cord) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. string
La red de las porterías de fútbol está hecha de piolas.The netting inside a soccer goal is made out of string.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
2. (colloquial) (sharp) (Argentina)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Argentina
a. smart
Intenté guardar el secreto, pero eres tan piola que lo acabaste descubriendo.I tried to keep the secret, but you're so smart that you ended up finding it out.
b. clever
Paula fue más piola que nosotros y respondió a todas las preguntas con astucia.Paula was cleverer than all of us and answered all the questions with ingenuity.
3. (colloquial) (pleasant) (Bolivia) (River Plate)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Bolivia
a. nice
Conocí a gente muy piola en la fiesta. Quizá volvamos a quedar pronto.I met some really nice people at the party. We may meet again soon.
4. (colloquial) (very good) (River Plate)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. great
Desde que aclaramos nuestras diferencias, todo va piola entre nosotros.Ever since we cleared up our differences, everything is great between us.
