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"Thing" is a noun which is often translated as "la cosa", and "stuff" is a noun which is often translated as "las cosas". Learn more about the difference between "thing" and "stuff" below.
thing(
thihng
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
b. el aparato (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Do you know how to use this thing?¿Sabes cómo utilizar este aparato?
c. la vaina (F) (Andes) (Caribbean) (Central America)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Pass me that thing from over there.Pásame esa vaina de allí.
3. (activity)
4. (matter)
c. la vaina (F) (Andes) (Caribbean) (Central America)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Did you hear that thing on the radio about the elections?¿Escuchaste esa vaina en la radio acerca de las elecciones?
5. (event)
6. (thought)
b. la vaina (F) (Andes) (Caribbean) (Central America)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Forget about those things!¡Olvida esas vainas!
7. (comment)
b. la vaina (F) (Andes) (Caribbean) (Central America)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
That thing he said about me isn't true.Esa vaina que contó de mí no es verdad.
8. (act)
b. la vaina (F) (Andes) (Caribbean) (Central America)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
I'm a bit worried about this thing.Me preocupa un poco esta vaina.
a. el tipo (M), la tipa (F)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The poor thing can't find his car keys.El pobre tipo no puede encontrar las llaves de su coche.
b. el crío (M), la cría (F)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Poor things, always loaded with homework!¡Pobres críos, siempre cargados de deberes!
c. la criatura (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
What is that thing coming out of the forest?¿Qué es esa criatura que sale del bosque?
10. (in negations)
11. (colloquial) (preferred activity or hobby)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I invited Paul to go dancing, but he said it's not his thing.Invité a Paul a salir a bailar, pero dijo que no es lo suyo.
My thing is going to the movies.Lo mío es ir al cine.
12. (obsession)
a. la obsesión (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
My grandmother has a thing about teacups; she has like 500.Mi abuela tiene una obsesión por las tazas de té; tiene alrededor de 500.
13. (phobia)
a. la moda (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Why is everybody eating kale salads? - Dad, it's the thing right now.¿Por qué todo mundo come ensaladas hechas con col rizada ahora? - Papá, es la moda hoy en día.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Do you have anything for a migraine? - I've got just the thing!¿Tienes algo para la migraña? - Tengo justo lo que necesitas.
The thing is to make a good first impression.Lo importante es dar una buena primera impresión.
16. (colloquial) (romantic affair)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. la relación (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I can't believe John and Anita had a thing in high school.No puedo creer que John y Anita tuvieron una relación en la prepa.
things
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
17. (belongings)
a. las cosas (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I am going to pick up my things from my ex-girlfriend's place this weekend.Este fin de semana voy a recoger mis cosas de la casa de mi exnovia.
b. las vainas (F) (Andes) (Caribbean) (Central America)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Bring your things over when you come.Traéte tus vainas contigo cuando vengas.
18. (situation)
b. las vaina (F) (Andes) (Caribbean) (Central America)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
I'm not happy about things.Estas vainas no me hacen gracia.
stuff(
stuhf
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
1. (colloquial) (matters)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
2. (colloquial) (substance)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
b. las cosas (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Do you want chocolate sprinkles on your ice cream? - No, thank you. I don't really like the stuff.¿Te pongo chispas de chocolate en el helado? - No, gracias, no me gustan mucho esas cosas.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Do you want tomato ketchup? - No thanks. I never eat the stuff.¿Te traigo ketchup? - No, gracias, nunca tomo.
This stuff tastes horrible!¡Esto tiene un sabor horrible!
3. (colloquial) (belongings)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
b. los chismes (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
When she asked to borrow my stuff, I didn't mean she could sell it.Cuando me pidió que le dejara mis chismes, no le di permiso para que pudiera venderlos.
4. (colloquial) (ideas)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. el cuento (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
If you really believe that stuff then you are just too gullible.Si realmente te crees ese cuento, eres una persona muy ingenua.
5. (slang) (drugs)
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
a. la mercancía (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Do you have some of that good stuff you sold me last week?¿Tienes de la mercancía buena que me vendiste la semana pasada?
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
6. (to fill)
7. (to put)
a. meter
Can you stuff the sleeping bag into that backpack?¿Puedes meter el saco de dormir dentro de esa mochila?
8. (taxidermy)
a. disecar
The old lady who lives in my neighborhood stuffs all her dogs after they die.La viejita que vive en mi vecindario diseca todos sus perros cuando mueren.
