Which one should you use?
While orejas grandes is the standard way to describe the condition, you may encounter other variations. Orejas de gran tamaño is a more formal way to express the same idea, while orejas de soplillo is an informal expression specifically used in Spain to describe stick-out ears. In Latin America, the informal phrase orejas de dumbo is also used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the informal expression Orejas de soplillo is used to refer to stick-out ears. In Latin America, the informal phrase Orejas de dumbo is common.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, the adjective follows the noun it describes. To say "big ears," you say orejas grandes with the adjective grandes following the noun orejas. If you are referring to a single big ear, both the noun and the adjective must be singular: oreja grande.
How do you pronounce it?
/oɾexas ɡɾandes/
Did you know?
- The word oreja is used in Spanish to name a specific type of fried pork cartilage appetizer common in bars. This culinary treat is named for its physical resemblance to a pig's ear.
- The word oreja comes from the Vulgar Latin auricula, which originally referred to a 'small ear' or a handle of a pot.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the phrase estoy todo oídos means 'I am all ears' and uses oídos instead of orejas because it refers to the act of listening.
Examples in context
- Los conejos tienen las orejas grandes.Rabbits have big ears.This sentence is useful for illustrating how to describe the physical characteristics of animals using orejas grandes.Tatoeba #535017 by Shishir, translation #511283 by darinmex
- Mi gato tiene unas orejotas muy graciosas.My cat has really funny big ears.
- No te preocupes por tus orejas grandes, ¡son parte de tu encanto!Don't worry about your big ears, they're part of your charm!
- Ana siempre lleva el cabello suelto para disimular sus orejas de avión.Ana always wears her hair down to hide her airplane ears.
- Ese ratón tiene las orejas grandes.That mouse has big ears.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are looking at a cartoon character.
- Daniel¿Viste al personaje con las orejas grandes?Did you see the character with big ears?
- LucíaSí, tiene las orejas muy grandes.Yes, he has very big ears.
- DanielParece un dibujo muy gracioso.He looks like a very funny drawing.
- LucíaEs cierto, es muy divertido.That's true, he is very funny.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
