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"Imanes" is a form of "imán", a noun which is often translated as "magnet". "Mallas" is a form of "mallas", a plural noun which is often translated as "net". Learn more about the difference between "imanes" and "mallas" below.
el imán(
ee
-
mahn
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
2. (religious)
a. imam
Un sacerdote, un rabino y un imán se sacaron una foto juntos para promover la tolerancia.A priest, a rabbi, and a imam took a picture together to promote tolerance.
3. (aptitude)
a. knack
Valeria cerró un trato jugoso porque tiene un imán para los negocios.Valeria got a sweet deal because she has a knack for business.
las mallas(
mah
-
yahs
)A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
1. (sports)
a. net
¡Y el balón duerme en las mallas tras el remate de Ronaldo!And the ball rests in the net after Ronaldo's shot!
2. (clothing)
a. pantyhose (with feet) (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Compré unas mallas de nailon para ponerme con el vestido nuevo.I bought a pair of nylon pantyhose to wear with my new dress.
b. tights (with feet) (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Yo me pongo mallas gruesas en el invierno para calentarme las piernas.I wear thick tights in winter to keep my legs warm.
c. leggings (without feet)
Todos creen que estos son vaqueros, pero en realidad son mallas.Everybody thinks these are jeans, but they're really leggings.
la malla
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
3. (material)
a. mesh
El vestido tiene un panel transparente de malla que le da un toque de sensualidad.The dress has a transparent mesh panel that gives it a hint of sensuality.
a. net
Vamos a ponerle mallas a los árboles de Navidad que vamos a transportar.We're going to put nets around the Christmas trees that we're going to ship.
b. wire netting (metal)
¿Por qué no construyes una cerca con malla galvanizada?Why don't you make a fence with galvanized wire netting?
5. (clothing)
a. leotard
La bailarina de la malla rosada baila muy bien.The dancer in the pink leotard dances very well.
6. (beachwear) (South America)
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
b. bathing suit
Este verano las mallas enterizas han vuelto a estar de moda.One-piece bathing suits are back in fashion this summer.
c. swimming costume (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Natalia lucía una malla amarilla en la piscina.Natalia was wearing a yellow swimming costume at the swimming pool.
7. (armor)
a. chain mail
En esa época, los caballeros llevaban una armadura de malla.At that time, knights wore armor made of chain mail.
