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"Pico" is a form of "pico", a noun which is often translated as "beak". "Placa" is a form of "placa", a noun which is often translated as "plate". Learn more about the difference between "pico" and "placa" below.
el pico(
pee
-
koh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
2. (colloquial) (human anatomy)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
b. mouth
El jefe escuchó mi explicación sin abrir el pico.The boss listened to my explanation without opening his mouth.
3. (geography)
4. (high point)
a. peak
Los casos de influenza alcanzaron su pico máximo a fines de diciembre.Influenza cases reached their highest peak in late December.
5. (edge)
a. corner
Bettina se pegó en la cabeza con el pico de la mesa.Bettina hit her head against the corner of the table.
b. sharp point
El pico de la plancha está roto porque se me cayó, pero funciona.The sharp point of the iron is broken because I dropped it, but it works.
6. (tool)
a. pick
Los soldados cavaban las trincheras con pico y pala.The soldiers dug the trenches with picks and spades.
b. pickax (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
La Sra. Jonte relató a los periodistas que la habían amenazado con un pico.Mrs. Jonte told the reporters she had been threatened with a pickax.
c. pickaxe (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Tuvimos que usar un pico para abrir el baúl.We had to use a pickaxe to open the chest.
a. lip
Si haces demasiada presión con el sacacorchos, se puede romper el pico de la botella.If you press the corkscrew too hard, the lip of the bottle may break.
b. spout
Cuando veas salir vapor por el pico, saca la tetera del fuego.When you see steam coming out of the spout, take the kettle off the burner.
8. (colloquial) (quantity; used with "y")
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. something
La mamá de Mateo tiene unos treinta y pico años.Mateo's mom is thirty-something years old.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Jorge trabajó en el mismo lugar unos cuarenta y pico de años.Jorge worked in the same place for forty odd years.
Los invitados llegaron a las seis y pico.The guests got here just after six.
9. (colloquial) (drugs)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. peck (colloquial)
Nos saludamos con un pico en la mejilla.We greeted each other with a peck on the cheek.
a. peck on the lips
Los concursantes festejaron dándose un pico.The contestants celebrated with a peck on the lips.
12. (slang) (vulgar) (male genitalia) (Bolivia) (Chile)
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
A word or phrase that is crude, indecent, and generally rejected by society.
Regionalism used in Bolivia
Regionalism used in Chile
a. dick (colloquial) (vulgar)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
A word or phrase that is crude, indecent, and generally rejected by society.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
13. (nautical)
la placa(
plah
-
kah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (thin layer)
2. (geology)
a. plate
El movimiento de las placas tectónicas provocó un terremoto.The shifting of the tectonic plates caused an earthquake.
a. plate
El doctor examinó la placa de su radiografía para buscar el hueso roto.The doctor examined the plate from his X-rays to find the broken bone.
5. (automobile)
a. license plate (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Los ladrones huyeron, pero conseguimos apuntar la placa de su carro.The thieves fled, but we managed to write down the license plate of their car.
b. number plate (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Señor, no se permite conducir sin la placa puesta.Sir, you're not allowed to drive without a license plate.
a. badge
El policía llegó a la escena del crimen y mostró su placa.The policeman arrived at the scene of the crime and showed his badge.
7. (medicine)
8. (dentistry)
a. plate
Colocó la placa dentro de la cámara y la enfocó a su sujeto.He placed the plate inside the camera and focused it at his subject.
