la espalda
/la espalda/from spelling rules
The English phrase "body part back" is translated into Spanish as la espalda.
la espalda refers to the rear part of the human body extending from the shoulders to the hips.
Which one should you use?
Use la espalda when referring to the anatomical back of a person. To refer to the back of an object, use la parte de atrás instead. Additionally, distinguish la espalda from el trasero, which refers specifically to the buttocks.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun espalda is feminine, which is why it is used with the feminine article la.
How do you pronounce it?
/la espalda/
Did you know?
- The word espalda is a linguistic relative of the word 'sword', which is espada in Spanish. They both share a common root in the Latin word for a flat, straight blade.
- Spanish uses espalda for the human back, but for animals, speakers often use the word lomo to refer to the back or loin.
- In Spanish, you might hear the term espalda mojada to describe someone who is 'wet back', a term used in certain political contexts to refer to undocumented immigrants.
Examples in context
- Tengo dolor en la espalda.I have a pain in my back
- Me duele el lomo.My lower back hurts
- Me duele la espalda después de levantar esas cajas pesadas.My back hurts after lifting those heavy boxes.
- Me lastimé la espalda mientras practicaba deportes.I injured my back while playing sports.
- Tiene un tatuaje en la espalda.He has a tattoo on his back.
- Me duele la espalda.My back hurts.
- Tengo un dolor en la espalda.I have a pain in my back.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are talking after a long day of work.
- AlejandroMaría, ¿estás bien?María, are you okay?
- MaríaNo, me molesta la espalda.No, my back is bothering me.
- AlejandroPuedo darte un masaje.I can give you a massage.
- MaríaEso sería fantástico, Alejandro.That would be fantastic, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries espalda, la, CC BY-SA 4.0.
