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"Estaca" is a form of "estaca", a noun which is often translated as "stake". "Púa" is a noun which is often translated as "sharp point". Learn more about the difference between "estaca" and "púa" below.
la estaca(
ehs
-
tah
-
kah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. stake
El cazavampiros le clavó la estaca al vampiro en el corazón.The vampire hunter thrust his stake into the vampire's heart.
b. post
El granjero levantó una cerca con estacas y alambre de púas.The farmer put up a fence with posts and barbed wire.
c. peg (of a tent)
Asegura las cuerdas tensoras de la tienda al suelo con una estaca.Secure the main guys of the tent with a peg.
2. (club)
3. (botany)
a. cutting
Tomé la estaca y la planté en otra maceta.I took the cutting and planted it in another flowerpot.
4. (mining)
a. large mining claim
Gracias a la estaca, podremos extraer dos millones de dólares en oro.The large mining claim will allow us to extract two million dollars worth in gold.
b. large mining concession
Nuestra empresa obtuvo la estaca para extraer de las minas de las tierras del estado.Our company obtained the large mining concession to mine on federal land.
a. spur
El gallo negro le clavó la estaca a su rival.The black rooster dug its spurs into its rival.
la púa(
poo
-
ah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (spike)
2. (botany)
a. graft
El granjero hizo un corte en el tallo de la planta e insertó una púa.The farmer made a slit in the stem of the plant and inserted a graft.
a. quill
Las púas protegen al puercoespín de los predadores.The quills protect the porcupine from its predators.
b. spine
Cuando el puercoespín pierde una púa, crece otra en su lugar.When a porcupine loses a spine, a new one grows in it place.
c. prickle
Era obvio que habían maltratado al pobre erizo: le habían cortado todas las púas.It was clear the poor hedgehog had been abused - all its prickles had been cut off.
4. (of wire)
a. barb
Creo que alguien cruzó la alambrada. Hay hilos enganchados en las púas.I think somebody crossed the wire fence. There are threads stuck on the barbs.
5. (of comb)
a. tooth
Las púas de este peine son largas y finas como las de un peine de pelo afro.The teeth of this comb are long and thin like those of an afro pick.
6. (of fork)
a. prong
Tenemos que comprar cubiertos de verdad. ¡Las púas de los tenedores de plástico siempre se rompen!We need to buy real silverware. The prongs of the plastic forks always break!
7. (music)
a. needle
Necesito reemplazar la púa del tocadiscos, pero no puedo encontrar repuestos.I need to replace the needle of my turntable, but I can't find any spares.
9. (slang) (currency) (Spain)
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. peseta
No pude comprarlo porque solo tenía un par de púas.I couldn't buy it because I only had a couple of pesetas on me.
