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"Pluma" is a noun which is often translated as "feather", and "plata" is a noun which is often translated as "silver". Learn more about the difference between "pluma" and "plata" below.
la pluma(
ploo
-
mah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (of a bird)
a. feather
El tocado de la bailarina tiene plumas y lentejuelas.The dancer's headdress has feathers and sequins.
b. quill (from a bird feather)
A ella todavía le gusta escribir sus cartas con tinta y pluma.She still likes to write her letters with ink and quill.
3. (author)
a. writer
¡Es la pluma del libro que más me gusta del mundo!He's the writer of my favorite book of all time!
4. (activity)
a. writing
La pluma siempre ha sido mi pasión, e Inglés mi clase preferida.Writing has always been my passion, and English my favorite class.
5. (crane)
a. boom
La grúa tiene una pluma telescópica para mover mercancías al buque de transporte.The crane has a telescopic boom to move goods to the shipping vessel.
6. (plumbing) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. faucet (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
A mi madre se le olvidó que había dejado la pluma de la bañadera abierta e inundó el baño.My mother forgot she had left the bathtub faucet on and flooded the bathroom.
b. tap
Si quieres beber agua de la pluma, asegúrate de hervirla por lo menos diez minutos.If you want to drink water from the tap, make sure to boil it for at least ten minutes.
a. hooker (pejorative)
Violó el código de ética de la empresa cuando se acostó con una pluma.He violated the company's code of ethics when he slept with a hooker.
la plata(
plah
-
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.
