At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'hacha' means 'axe'. You might see it in a picture book or a list of basic tools. The most important thing for an A1 learner is to recognize the word and understand that it refers to a tool used for cutting wood. You don't need to worry too much about the complex grammar rules yet, but just remember it starts with a silent 'h'. You might use it in a very simple sentence like 'El hacha es grande' (The axe is big). At this stage, focus on the physical object and its connection to nature or work.
At the A2 level, you should start learning the unique grammar rule: we say 'el hacha' but the word is feminine. You should be able to use it in sentences about camping, gardening, or basic chores. You should also be aware that in the plural, it becomes 'las hachas'. You might describe someone's job: 'El leñador usa el hacha para trabajar'. You are also introduced to the idea that some words have 'gender exceptions' for the sake of sound (euphony), and 'hacha' is a perfect example of this. Practice using it with adjectives like 'afilada' (sharp) or 'pesada' (heavy) to reinforce that it is feminine.
By B1, you should be comfortable using 'hacha' in more varied contexts, including idiomatic expressions. You should know 'enterrar el hacha de guerra' (to bury the hatchet) and be able to use it in a conversation about resolving conflicts. You should also understand the colloquial use of 'ser un hacha' in Spain to describe someone very skillful. Your grammar should be precise: you never say 'la hacha' or 'el hacha pesado'. You might encounter the word in news stories about forest fires or historical documentaries. You should also be able to distinguish 'hacha' from related tools like 'hachuela' or 'motosierra'.
At the B2 level, you use 'hacha' fluently in both literal and figurative senses. You can discuss the etymology or the specific phonetic rules that lead to 'el hacha'. You might use it in creative writing or professional discussions about forestry or manual labor. You understand the nuances of register; you know that 'ser un hacha' is informal and might choose 'ser un experto' in a business meeting. You can also handle complex sentences where 'hacha' is part of a relative clause or a passive construction, such as 'El hacha con la que cortaron el árbol era muy antigua'.
At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the word's place in Spanish culture and literature. You might encounter 'hacha' in classical texts where it refers to a large candle or torch used in processions. You are aware of regional variations in how the word is used or how the idiom 'ser un hacha' might be replaced by other local expressions in Latin America. You can use the word in sophisticated metaphors and understand its use in technical or legal documents related to agriculture or woodworking. Your use of articles and adjectives with 'hacha' is instinctive and flawless.
At the C2 level, 'hacha' is just one of many tools in your extensive linguistic toolbox. You can appreciate wordplay involving the term and understand its historical evolution from the Frankish 'hapja'. You can use it in academic contexts, perhaps discussing the role of the 'hacha' in Neolithic societies or its symbolic value in heraldry. You are fully aware of all rare meanings, including its use in nautical terms or specific regional crafts. You can explain the 'el hacha' rule to others with perfect clarity, citing the linguistic principles of phonology and historical grammar.

hacha in 30 Sekunden

  • Hacha means axe in Spanish and is primarily used for chopping wood or as a historical weapon in various contexts.
  • It is a feminine noun but uses the masculine article 'el' in the singular form to improve pronunciation flow.
  • In Spain, the colloquial phrase 'ser un hacha' is used to describe someone who is exceptionally skilled or intelligent.
  • The plural form is 'las hachas', following standard feminine rules, and adjectives always remain feminine regardless of the article.

The Spanish word hacha primarily refers to an axe or a hatchet. It is a fundamental tool used for centuries in forestry, carpentry, and survival. While it is a common noun at the A2 level, its usage involves a specific grammatical nuance that often trips up English speakers: although it is a feminine noun, it uses the masculine article el in the singular form (el hacha) to prevent the collision of two stressed 'a' sounds. However, any accompanying adjectives must remain feminine, such as el hacha pesada (the heavy axe). This word is not just for lumberjacks; it appears in historical contexts, DIY projects, and even in idiomatic expressions describing someone's intelligence or skill level.

Physical Tool
The most direct use is referring to the instrument with a metal blade and a wooden handle. Example: 'El hacha está en el cobertizo' (The axe is in the shed).
Figurative Brilliance
In Spain, calling someone 'un hacha' means they are an expert or very clever at something. 'Mi hermano es un hacha con las matemáticas' (My brother is a whiz at math).
Historical Warfare
Contexts involving Vikings, medieval knights, or indigenous warriors often mention 'el hacha de guerra' (the battle axe or war axe).

El leñador afiló su hacha antes de entrar al bosque para buscar leña seca.

In everyday life, you might use this word when camping, gardening, or discussing historical artifacts in a museum. It is also common in literature and news when discussing forest fires (hachas are used for firebreaks) or crime reports (though hopefully less often). The word carries a sense of weight, sharpness, and decisive action. Beyond the physical tool, 'hacha' can also refer to a large candle or torch in specific religious or traditional contexts in Spain, though this is much less common for a general learner. Understanding 'hacha' requires recognizing its dual identity: a simple tool and a linguistic exception that tests your mastery of Spanish gender rules. When you see it in a sentence, look closely at the adjectives around it; they will reveal its true feminine nature despite the masculine article standing guard at the front.

Es un hacha para los negocios; siempre consigue el mejor precio posible.

Camping Context
When packing for a trip: 'No olvides el hacha para cortar madera para la fogata'.

Using hacha correctly involves navigating the 'euphony rule' in Spanish. This rule dictates that feminine nouns starting with a stressed 'a' or 'ha' sound take the article el in the singular to avoid the awkward double 'a' sound of la hacha. This is purely for sound; the noun remains feminine. Therefore, you must say el hacha pequeña, not el hacha pequeño. In the plural, the 's' in las separates the vowels, so we return to the standard feminine article: las hachas. This distinction is a hallmark of an intermediate learner moving beyond basic grammar. You will find this word in various sentence structures, from simple descriptions to complex idiomatic uses.

Subject of a Sentence
'El hacha cayó al suelo con un ruido sordo.' (The axe fell to the ground with a thud.)
Object of an Action
'Él maneja el hacha con mucha destreza y fuerza.' (He handles the axe with a lot of skill and strength.)

Compramos unas hachas nuevas para la cabaña de la montaña.

In more advanced constructions, 'hacha' appears in metaphors. For instance, if you want to describe someone who is exceptionally good at a task, you use the phrase 'ser un hacha'. This is very common in Spain. You might say, 'Marta es un hacha arreglando ordenadores' (Marta is a whiz at fixing computers). Notice that even when referring to a woman (Marta), we still use 'un hacha' because the noun 'hacha' is the fixed part of the idiom. Another common metaphorical use is 'enterrar el hacha de guerra', which means to stop fighting or to reconcile. 'Después de años de peleas, los hermanos decidieron enterrar el hacha de guerra' (After years of fighting, the brothers decided to bury the hatchet).

Esa hacha antigua perteneció a mi abuelo, quien era carpintero.

Instructional Context
'Ten cuidado al usar el hacha; la hoja está muy afilada.' (Be careful when using the axe; the blade is very sharp.)

You will encounter hacha in several distinct environments. In rural areas of Spain and Latin America, it is a daily word. Farmers, woodcutters (leñadores), and people living in mountain regions use it frequently. If you go hiking or camping in the Pyrenees or the Andes, you might see signs or hear locals talking about tools needed for the trail. In a more urban setting, you will hear it in hardware stores (ferreterías) when someone is looking for gardening or construction equipment. The word also has a strong presence in historical narratives, whether in museums, schools, or period dramas on television. Mentioning an 'hacha de sílex' (flint axe) takes you back to prehistoric times, while 'hachas de combate' (battle axes) are staples of medieval history.

En la ferretería del barrio, el dependiente me recomendó un hacha de mango ergonómico.

In the media, 'hacha' appears in news reports about environmental management. For example, firefighters (bomberos forestales) use 'hachas' to create firebreaks (cortafuegos) to stop the spread of wildfires. You might hear a reporter say, 'Los brigadistas trabajan con hachas y motosierras para contener las llamas.' Additionally, in Spain, the colloquial use of 'ser un hacha' is incredibly common in schools and workplaces. You'll hear teachers praise a student by saying 'Eres un hacha en dibujo' or colleagues admiring a peer's efficiency. This metaphorical use is perhaps the most frequent way you'll hear the word in casual, urban conversation. It’s a high-praise term that signifies someone is sharp, quick, and effective, much like the tool itself.

Rural Life
'El abuelo siempre decía que un buen hacha es la mejor amiga de un hombre en el campo.'
Colloquial Praise
'Si tienes dudas sobre el contrato, pregúntale a Lucía; ella es un hacha para los temas legales.'

The most frequent mistake learners make with hacha is related to its gender and article agreement. Because we say el hacha, many students assume the word is masculine and proceed to use masculine adjectives. This results in errors like *'el hacha pesado'* instead of the correct el hacha pesada. Another common error is using la hacha. While native speakers will understand you, it sounds unpolished and incorrect to the Spanish ear. It is important to internalize that the switch to el is only for phonetic reasons in the singular definite and indefinite articles. If you use words like 'mucha', 'toda', or 'esta', they must remain feminine: esta hacha, mucha hacha (though the latter is rare).

Mistaken Gender
Saying 'el hacha afilado' (incorrect) vs 'el hacha afilada' (correct).
Plural Errors
Saying 'los hachas' (incorrect) vs 'las hachas' (correct).

Incorrecto: La hacha está rota. Correcto: El hacha está rota.

Pronunciation is another area where mistakes occur. English speakers often want to pronounce the 'h' as a soft 'h' sound (like 'hat'). In Spanish, the 'h' is completely silent. 'Hacha' should sound exactly like 'acha'. If you pronounce the 'h', it might sound like you are trying to say a different word or simply sound very foreign. Additionally, learners sometimes confuse 'hacha' with 'hace' (from the verb hacer) or 'hacia' (towards) in fast speech. Context usually clears this up, but it's important to be aware of the sharp 'ch' sound in 'hacha' compared to the 's' or 'th' sound in 'hace/hacia' (depending on the dialect).

While hacha is the general term for an axe, there are several related tools and synonyms that might be more appropriate depending on the specific task or size of the instrument. Understanding these nuances will help you describe things more accurately in Spanish. For example, a small hand axe or hatchet is often called an hachuela. If you are talking about a heavy hammer-like tool used for demolition or driving stakes, you might use mazo. In a historical or military context, specialized terms like alabarda (halberd) or tomahawk (used in American contexts) might appear.

Hacha vs. Hachuela
An 'hacha' is the standard large tool for chopping wood. An 'hachuela' is smaller, designed for one-handed use, often used for kindling or small carpentry tasks.
Hacha vs. Sierra
An 'hacha' chops by impact, while a 'sierra' (saw) cuts by friction. You use an 'hacha' to split a log and a 'sierra' to cut it into specific lengths.
Hacha vs. Piqueta
A 'piqueta' (pickaxe or mason's hammer) has a pointed end and is used for breaking hard surfaces like stone or brick, whereas an 'hacha' is specifically for wood.

Para los troncos grandes usamos el hacha, pero para las ramas pequeñas basta con una hachuela.

In metaphorical terms, if you want to say someone is an expert but don't want to use 'ser un hacha', you can use ser un as (to be an ace), ser un genio (to be a genius), or ser un experto. However, 'ser un hacha' has a specifically sharp and clever connotation that the others might lack. In Latin America, you might also hear ser un trome (especially in Peru) or ser un crack (very common in sports contexts across the Spanish-speaking world). Choosing between these depends on the region and the level of formality you wish to convey.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The reason we say 'el hacha' is the same reason we say 'el agua' - to avoid the 'la a' clash!

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ˈatʃa/
US /ˈɑtʃɑ/
The stress is on the first syllable: HA-cha.
Reimt sich auf
macha racha pacha facha tacha gacha lacha nacha
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing the 'h' like in 'hat'.
  • Pronouncing the 'ch' like 'sh'.
  • Stressing the second syllable.
  • Making the 'a' sound too much like 'ay'.
  • Using a voiced 'j' sound instead of 'ch'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize in text due to similarity to 'hatchet' and 'hache'.

Schreiben 4/5

Difficult due to the 'el' vs 'feminine' agreement rule.

Sprechen 3/5

Silent 'h' and 'ch' sound are standard but require practice.

Hören 3/5

Can be confused with other 'a' words if spoken quickly.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

madera cortar herramienta el la

Als Nächstes lernen

sierra martillo clavo leñador afilado

Fortgeschritten

aizcolari alabarda cacofonía eufonía

Wichtige Grammatik

Euphony with stressed 'a'

el agua, el alma, el hacha

Feminine adjective agreement

el hacha fría

Plural article return

las hachas

Demonstrative agreement

esta hacha (not este)

Indefinite article change

un hacha (not una)

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

El hacha está en el jardín.

The axe is in the garden.

Simple subject-verb-location structure.

2

Es un hacha pequeña.

It is a small axe.

Note the feminine adjective 'pequeña'.

3

Yo veo el hacha.

I see the axe.

Direct object usage.

4

El hacha es de madera y metal.

The axe is made of wood and metal.

Describing materials.

5

¿Dónde está el hacha?

Where is the axe?

Basic question form.

6

El hacha no es peligrosa si tienes cuidado.

The axe is not dangerous if you are careful.

Negative sentence with feminine adjective 'peligrosa'.

7

Papá tiene un hacha.

Dad has an axe.

Use of indefinite article 'un' (replaces 'una').

8

El hacha corta la madera.

The axe cuts the wood.

Subject performing a simple action.

1

Necesito el hacha para cortar estos troncos.

I need the axe to cut these logs.

Purpose clause with 'para'.

2

Las hachas están muy afiladas hoy.

The axes are very sharp today.

Plural agreement: 'las' and 'afiladas'.

3

El leñador lleva el hacha al bosque.

The woodcutter takes the axe to the forest.

Noun 'leñador' context.

4

Esta hacha es más pesada que la otra.

This axe is heavier than the other one.

Comparative structure and feminine 'esta'.

5

No toques el hacha porque corta mucho.

Don't touch the axe because it cuts a lot.

Imperative 'no toques'.

6

El hacha cayó cerca del río.

The axe fell near the river.

Preterite tense usage.

7

Compré un hacha nueva en la ferretería.

I bought a new axe at the hardware store.

Indefinite article 'un' + feminine adjective 'nueva'.

8

Él usa el hacha con las dos manos.

He uses the axe with both hands.

Prepositional phrase 'con las dos manos'.

1

Si quieres encender la chimenea, busca el hacha.

If you want to light the fireplace, look for the axe.

Conditional sentence.

2

Mi abuelo era un hacha para la carpintería.

My grandfather was a whiz at carpentry.

Idiomatic use: 'ser un hacha'.

3

Por fin decidieron enterrar el hacha de guerra.

They finally decided to bury the hatchet.

Idiom: 'enterrar el hacha de guerra'.

4

Tuvimos que usar el hacha para abrir la puerta trabada.

We had to use the axe to open the jammed door.

Past necessity with 'tener que'.

5

El hacha de piedra es una herramienta prehistórica.

The stone axe is a prehistoric tool.

Historical/Scientific description.

6

Aunque el hacha sea vieja, todavía funciona bien.

Even though the axe is old, it still works well.

Subjunctive after 'aunque' for concession.

7

Ella es un hacha resolviendo problemas matemáticos.

She is a whiz at solving math problems.

Idiomatic use with a female subject.

8

El filo del hacha debe estar siempre limpio.

The edge of the axe must always be clean.

Genitive 'del' (de + el).

1

El hacha, cuya hoja estaba oxidada, no servía para nada.

The axe, whose blade was rusty, was useless.

Relative pronoun 'cuya'.

2

Manejaba el hacha con una precisión asombrosa.

He handled the axe with amazing precision.

Imperfect tense for description.

3

No creo que el hacha sea la mejor herramienta para esto.

I don't think the axe is the best tool for this.

Subjunctive after 'no creo que'.

4

Se dice que el hacha fue el primer invento del hombre.

It is said that the axe was man's first invention.

Passive 'se dice que'.

5

El hacha de doble filo era un arma temible.

The double-edged axe was a fearsome weapon.

Compound noun context.

6

Habría cortado más leña si hubiera tenido un hacha mejor.

I would have cut more wood if I had had a better axe.

Third conditional (past unreal).

7

El hacha es un símbolo de fuerza en muchas culturas.

The axe is a symbol of strength in many cultures.

Abstract symbolic usage.

8

A pesar de ser un hacha en finanzas, cometió un error básico.

Despite being a whiz in finance, he made a basic mistake.

Idiom combined with 'a pesar de'.

1

La procesión era encabezada por hombres que portaban hachas de cera.

The procession was led by men carrying wax torches.

Rare meaning of 'hacha' (large candle/torch).

2

El hacha cayó de forma fulminante sobre el tronco seco.

The axe fell with lightning speed upon the dry log.

Advanced adverbial phrase 'de forma fulminante'.

3

Resulta imperativo que el hacha esté debidamente resguardada.

It is imperative that the axe be properly stored.

Formal structure with 'resulta imperativo'.

4

Su prosa es como un hacha que corta la hipocresía social.

His prose is like an axe that cuts through social hypocrisy.

Literary metaphor.

5

El hacha neolítica hallada en el yacimiento está intacta.

The Neolithic axe found at the site is intact.

Technical archaeological vocabulary.

6

Nadie pone en duda que seas un hacha en tu campo.

No one doubts that you are an expert in your field.

Subjunctive in a negated doubt clause.

7

El hacha de la justicia tarde o temprano acaba cayendo.

The axe of justice sooner or later ends up falling.

Allegorical usage.

8

Bajo el brillo del hacha, el guerrero juró lealtad.

Under the glow of the axe, the warrior swore loyalty.

Poetic narrative style.

1

La morfología de esta hacha denota un origen franco-germánico.

The morphology of this axe denotes a Franco-Germanic origin.

Academic/Scientific register.

2

Fue tal su destreza que lo tildaron de ser un hacha absoluta.

Such was his skill that they branded him an absolute whiz.

Consecutive 'tal... que' structure.

3

El hacha, antaño herramienta de vida, se tornó en objeto de museo.

The axe, once a tool of life, turned into a museum object.

Archaic/Literary 'antaño' and 'tornarse'.

4

No es óbice el desgaste del hacha para apreciar su valor histórico.

The wear of the axe is no obstacle to appreciating its historical value.

High-level 'no es óbice'.

5

La hacha de viento soplaba con una fuerza inusitada aquella noche.

The blast of wind blew with unusual force that night.

Nautical/Rare use of 'hacha' for a gust of wind.

6

Sutil como un hacha, su comentario destruyó toda la argumentación.

Subtle as an axe, his comment destroyed the whole argument.

Oxymoronic literary device.

7

Las hachas ceremoniales jugaban un papel crucial en el rito.

The ceremonial axes played a crucial role in the rite.

Sociological/Anthropological context.

8

Afiló el hacha de su ingenio para enfrentar el debate.

He sharpened the axe of his wit to face the debate.

Highly metaphorical abstract usage.

Häufige Kollokationen

afilar el hacha
el mango del hacha
hacha de guerra
hacha de piedra
golpe de hacha
hacha de doble filo
ser un hacha en
el filo del hacha
hacha forestal
hacha de mano

Häufige Phrasen

¡Qué hacha!

— What a whiz! Used to express admiration for someone's skill.

¡Qué hacha eres arreglando cosas!

Hacha en mano

— With axe in hand. Ready for hard work or conflict.

Salió hacha en mano a limpiar el terreno.

A golpe de hacha

— By force or through hard, repetitive effort.

Consiguió su fortuna a golpe de hacha.

Hacha de leñador

— Standard woodcutter's axe.

Es la típica hacha de leñador.

Hacha pequeña

— A hatchet.

Usa el hacha pequeña para las astillas.

Hacha afilada

— A sharp axe.

Siempre ten el hacha afilada.

Hacha pesada

— A heavy axe.

Es un hacha pesada para troncos grandes.

Hacha de hierro

— Iron axe.

Antiguamente usaban hachas de hierro.

Hacha de acero

— Steel axe.

Las hachas de acero duran más.

Hacha de bombero

— Fireman's axe.

El hacha de bombero tiene un pico atrás.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

hacha vs hace

From 'hacer'. Sounds similar but has an 's/th' sound.

hacha vs hacia

Means 'towards'. Has three syllables (ha-cia).

hacha vs asta

Means 'flagpole' or 'horn'. Also uses 'el'.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Enterrar el hacha de guerra"

— To make peace and stop a conflict.

Los dos países enterraron el hacha de guerra.

neutral
"Ser un hacha"

— To be very clever or skilled at something.

Mi hija es un hacha con el piano.

informal (Spain)
"Desenterrar el hacha de guerra"

— To start a conflict or argument again.

No desentierres el hacha de guerra ahora.

neutral
"Tener el hacha levantada"

— To be ready to attack or criticize someone.

Siempre tiene el hacha levantada contra sus jefes.

informal
"A golpe de hacha"

— Doing something through sheer force or persistence.

Se abrió camino en la vida a golpe de hacha.

literary
"Hacha de doble filo"

— Something that has both good and bad consequences.

Esa fama es un hacha de doble filo.

neutral
"Ser el hacha del grupo"

— To be the smartest or most capable person in a group.

En la universidad, él era el hacha del grupo.

informal
"Meter el hacha"

— To make drastic cuts (usually in a budget or text).

El editor metió el hacha a mi artículo.

informal
"Caer el hacha"

— To suffer a sudden, negative consequence (like being fired).

Mañana le caerá el hacha a varios empleados.

informal
"Hacha de luz"

— A very tall candle used in churches.

Las hachas de luz iluminaban el altar.

religious/archaic

Leicht verwechselbar

hacha vs hacia

Phonetic similarity.

'Hacha' has a 'ch' sound and refers to a tool. 'Hacia' means towards.

Voy hacia el hacha.

hacha vs haza

Spelling and sound.

'Haza' is a small field of arable land. Very rare.

La haza está lista.

hacha vs acha

Misspelling.

'Acha' is not a word; it must have the silent 'h'.

N/A

hacha vs casa

Beginner listening error.

'Casa' (house) vs 'Hacha' (axe).

Mi casa tiene un hacha.

hacha vs ancha

Rhyme.

'Ancha' means wide (feminine adjective).

El hacha es ancha.

Satzmuster

A1

El hacha es [adjective].

El hacha es roja.

A2

Uso el hacha para [verb].

Uso el hacha para cortar.

B1

Es un hacha en [noun].

Es un hacha en física.

B1

Enterrar el hacha de [noun].

Enterrar el hacha de guerra.

B2

Aunque [subjunctive] el hacha...

Aunque esté vieja el hacha...

C1

El hacha de [abstract noun].

El hacha de la discordia.

C2

[Adjective] como un hacha.

Preciso como un hacha.

A2

Las hachas son [adjective plural].

Las hachas son nuevas.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

hachazo (a blow with an axe)
hachuela (small axe)
hachero (woodcutter)

Verben

hachear (to cut with an axe)

Adjektive

hacheado (cut/shaped with an axe)

Verwandt

leña
bosque
madera
herramienta
filo

So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in rural and colloquial contexts.

Häufige Fehler
  • La hacha El hacha

    You must use 'el' for singular feminine nouns starting with a stressed 'a'.

  • El hacha nuevo El hacha nueva

    The noun is still feminine, so the adjective must be feminine.

  • Los hachas Las hachas

    The 'el' rule only applies to the singular form.

  • Pronouncing the H Silent H

    The 'h' in Spanish is never pronounced.

  • Este hacha Esta hacha

    The rule doesn't apply to demonstrative adjectives.

Tipps

The Adjective Rule

Always keep adjectives feminine. 'El hacha afilada' is the only correct way.

Silent H

Ignore the H. Say 'A-cha'. Practice saying 'el hacha' as one word.

Small Version

Learn 'hachuela' for small jobs. It's a useful distinction.

Be an Expert

Use 'eres un hacha' to impress your Spanish friends with your slang.

Basque Sport

Look up 'Aizkolaritza' to see the hacha in action as a sport.

Plural Check

When writing plural, switch back to 'las'. 'Las hachas' is the way.

Context Clues

If you hear 'acha' near 'madera', it's always 'hacha'.

Stone Age

Use 'hacha de piedra' when talking about history or museums.

Tool vs Weapon

Most modern usage is for tools. 'Hacha de guerra' is for history or idioms.

The Water Link

Remember 'el agua' and 'el hacha' follow the same rule.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'Hatchet'. Both start with 'Ha' and both cut wood. Just remember the 'h' is silent in Spanish!

Visuelle Assoziation

Visualize a giant letter 'A' being chopped in half by an axe to remember the 'a' sound and the tool.

Word Web

wood sharp handle forest expert conflict steel chopping

Herausforderung

Try to use the phrase 'ser un hacha' to describe three of your friends today in Spanish.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Old French 'hache', which comes from the Frankish '*happja'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: A tool for cutting or hewing.

Germanic origin via Romance languages.

Kultureller Kontext

No major sensitivities, though it is a weapon, so context matters.

The idiom 'bury the hatchet' translates perfectly as 'enterrar el hacha de guerra'.

Aizkolaris (Basque woodchoppers) The 'hacha' in Spanish heraldry Don Quixote's mentions of tools

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Camping

  • ¿Trajiste el hacha?
  • Corta leña con el hacha.
  • El hacha es pequeña.
  • Guarda el hacha.

Hardware Store

  • Busco un hacha.
  • ¿Cuánto cuesta el hacha?
  • El hacha de acero.
  • Mango de madera para hacha.

School/Work

  • Es un hacha en mates.
  • Eres un hacha.
  • Qué hacha es ella.
  • Un hacha para los negocios.

History Class

  • Hacha de piedra.
  • Guerra de hachas.
  • Hacha ceremonial.
  • El hacha del vikingo.

Firefighting

  • Hacha de bombero.
  • Usar el hacha.
  • Hacha para incendios.
  • Corta el paso con el hacha.

Gesprächseinstiege

"¿Alguna vez has usado un hacha para cortar leña?"

"¿Eres un hacha en algún deporte o pasatiempo?"

"¿Crees que es difícil aprender las reglas de 'el hacha' en español?"

"¿Qué herramientas, además del hacha, son esenciales para acampar?"

"¿Sabías que en el País Vasco hay competiciones de hachas?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Describe una situación en la que tuviste que 'enterrar el hacha de guerra' con alguien.

Si fueras un hacha en algo, ¿qué habilidad elegirías tener y por qué?

Escribe sobre un día de trabajo en el bosque usando un hacha.

Explica la regla gramatical del hacha a un amigo imaginario.

¿Prefieres usar un hacha o una sierra? Explica las ventajas de cada una.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

It's to avoid the 'la a' sound clash. This is called euphony. It only happens when the 'a' is stressed.

In modern standard Spanish, no. It is considered a grammatical error, though you might hear it in some very old dialects.

No, you should say 'esta hacha'. The rule only applies to 'el' and 'un'.

You say 'las hachas'. The rule disappears in the plural form.

It means to be an expert or very smart at something. It's common in Spain.

Yes, in specific religious contexts, it refers to a large candle or torch.

Yes, absolutely silent. You start the word with the 'a' sound.

It's called an 'hachuela'.

No, that's a 'cortapizzas'. An hacha is much larger and for wood.

Yes, for the tool. The idiom 'ser un hacha' is mostly used in Spain.

Teste dich selbst 187 Fragen

writing

Translate: 'The sharp axe is in the forest.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'She is a whiz at math.' (using hacha)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence with 'las hachas'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'I need a small axe.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'They buried the hatchet.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Describe an axe in Spanish (3 words).

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'This axe is mine.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'We have two axes.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The axe's handle is wood.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Don't touch the axe.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The ancient axes were stone.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'He is a whiz with the guitar.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The axe fell.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'A sharp axe.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'I see some axes.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The woodcutter's axe.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The battle axe.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Sharpen the axe.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'The axe is on the table.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Is it a heavy axe?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Pronounce: 'El hacha'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'I am a whiz at Spanish.'

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Pronounce: 'Las hachas'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'The sharp axe'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Bury the hatchet'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Pronounce: 'Hachuela'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'A new axe'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Two axes'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'This axe'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Be careful with the axe'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'The axe is heavy'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'The woodcutter uses the axe'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'I see an axe'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'My father has an axe'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'The axes are in the garden'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'A stone axe'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'Sharpen the axes'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'She is a whiz'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'The edge is sharp'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Say: 'I need the axe'.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Identify the word: [Audio: 'el hacha']

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Is the speaker saying 'hacia' or 'hacha'? [Audio: 'hacha']

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

How many axes? [Audio: 'dos hachas']

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Is it sharp? [Audio: 'el hacha afilada']

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Who has it? [Audio: 'el leñador tiene el hacha']

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

True or False: The axe is heavy. [Audio: 'el hacha es pesada']

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Where is it? [Audio: 'el hacha está en el bosque']

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Action: [Audio: 'afila el hacha']

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Is it a whiz? [Audio: 'eres un hacha']

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Material? [Audio: 'hacha de piedra']

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Is it new? [Audio: 'un hacha vieja']

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Singular or plural? [Audio: 'las hachas']

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Context? [Audio: 'enterrar el hacha de guerra']

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Which one? [Audio: 'esta hacha']

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Identify: [Audio: 'hachuela']

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

/ 187 correct

Perfect score!

War das hilfreich?
Noch keine Kommentare. Sei der Erste, der seine Gedanken teilt!