vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Piedra" is a noun which is often translated as "stone", and "hueso" is a noun which is often translated as "bone". Learn more about the difference between "piedra" and "hueso" below.
la piedra(
pyeh
-
drah
)
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
feminine noun
a. stone
El granito es un tipo de piedra dura.Granite is a type of hard stone.
a. stone
Tengo una piedra en el zapato.There's a stone in my shoe.
b. rock
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
La playa a la que fuimos estaba llena de piedras.The beach we went to was full of rocks.
a. stone
Me quitaron tres piedras de la vesícula.I had three stones removed from my gallbladder.
a. hailstone
Cayeron enormes piedras del cielo.Enormous hailstones fell from the sky.
a. flint
La piedra del mechero está bien pero falta fluido.The flint of the lighter is fine but there's no fluid.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
el hueso(
weh
-
soh
)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. bone
El estribo es uno de los huesos más pequeños del cuerpo humano.The stapes is the one of the smallest bones in the human body.
a. pit
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
El verano pasado planté un hueso de aguacate en el jardín.Last summer, I planted an avocado pit in the garden.
b. stone
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
Puedes usar este cuenco para los huesos de las cerezas.You can use this bowl for the cherry stones.
3.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(difficult or demanding person)
a. tough nut
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
El profesor de mate es un verdadero hueso; todos reprobamos el examen.The math teacher is a really tough nut; we all failed the test.
4.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(something requiring work)
a. slog
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Actualmente, mi trabajo es un verdadero hueso.My job is a real slog at the moment.
b. bear
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
El curso sobre Shakespeare es un hueso de verdad.The Shakespeare course is a real bear.
a. bone
Me gusta la falda color hueso mejor que el verde.I like the bone-colored skirt better than the green one.
6.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(easy job)
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
(Central America)
Regionalism used in Mexico
(Mexico)
a. cushy job
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Está encantado porque consiguió un hueso trabajando en el gobierno.He is really happy because he got a cushy job working for the government.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.