QUICK ANSWER
"Maceta" is a noun which is often translated as "flowerpot", and "pilón" is a noun which is often translated as "pillar". Learn more about the difference between "maceta" and "pilón" below.
la maceta(
mah
-
seh
-
tah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
2. (hammer)
a. mallet
Coloca el cincel en la marca que hiciste y golpéalo con la maceta.Put the chisel on the mark you made, and hit it with the mallet.
3. (colloquial) (head) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. nut (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¡Qué golpazo se dio en la maceta!What a whack on the nut that was!
b. noggin (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¡Piensa con la maceta!Think with your noggin!
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
4. (colloquial) (miserly) (Dominican Republic) (Puerto Rico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the Dominican Republic
Regionalism used in Puerto Rico
5. (colloquial) (robust) (Peru)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Peru
el pilón(
pee
-
lohn
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
2. (culinary)
a. sugarloaf
Los trabajadores bajaban los pilones de los barcos.The workers unloaded sugarloaves off the boats.
b. sugar loaf
El azúcar llegaba al puerto desde Brasil en forma de pilones.The sugar arrived at the port from Brazil in the form of sugar loaves.
3. (tool)
a. pestle
Este pilón de mármol es mucho mejor que el de madera que tenía antes.This marble pestle is much better than the wooden one I had before.
4. (vessel)
a. stack
El aldeano prendió fuego al pilón de hojas caídas.The peasant set the stack of fallen leaves on fire.
c. loads (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Hoy no puedo ir al bar. Tengo un pilón de tarea para mañana.I cannot go to the bar today. I have loads of homework for tomorrow.
6. (colloquial) (small, free amount) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. bonus
Le di un pilón al cliente porque tuvo que esperar más de lo normal por su helado.I gave the customer a bonus because he had to wait longer for his ice cream.
b. extra
El carnicero es amigo mío y siempre me da pilón cuando voy a comprar.The butcher is my friend and he always gives me an extra when I buy from him.
c. free
El lechero me dio una botella de leche de pilón por mi cumpleaños.The milkman gave me a bottle for free for my birthday.