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"Plateado" is an adjective which is often translated as "silver", and "plata" is a noun which is also often translated as "silver". Learn more about the difference between "plateado" and "plata" below.
plateado(
plah
-
teh
-
ah
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doh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (color)
a. silver
¿Al final elegiste la carrocería plateada?Did you choose the silver bodywork in the end?
Paola llevaba puesto un vestido de lentejuelas plateado.Paola was wearing a silver sequin dress.
a. silver-plated
El colgante incluía una cadena plateada.The pendant came with a silver-plated chain.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
3. (process)
a. silver plating
¿Cuánto tiempo se tardará en hacer el plateado?How long will the silver plating take?
la plata(
plah
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tah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (metal)
a. silver
En algunas regiones, la plata tiene más valor que el oro.In certain regions, silver is more valuable than gold.
2. (cash) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. money
Mira que tengas toda la plata en tu cartera.Make sure you have all your money in your wallet.
b. dough (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Esta tele nueva me va a costar un montón de plata.This new tv is going to cost me a ton of dough.
3. (cutlery)
a. silverware
Usaré la plata especial para la comida de Navidad.I'll use the special silverware for Christmas dinner.
