Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| seso | /ˈseso/ |
| sesera | /seˈseɾa/ |
| mollera | /moˈʝeɾa/ |
| entendederas | /entendedeɾas/ (from spelling rules) |
While the words in this group can refer to the physical organ, they are also used informally to describe a person's intelligence or mental capacity. A common idiomatic way to use this concept is in the phrase devanarse los sesos, which means to rack one's brains or to think very hard to solve a problem.
What does it mean word for word?
The word seso literally refers to the physical organ of the brain.
Which one should you use?
The forms provided serve different nuances: seso is the standard term for the organ, while sesera specifically refers to intelligence or mental capacity in a more colloquial way.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Sesera is a colloquial term used when speaking informally about someone's mental capacity.
How does it change in a sentence?
Although seso is the singular noun for the brain organ, the plural form sesos is frequently used in idiomatic expressions or when referring to the organ in a more visceral or descriptive sense.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈseso/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, sesos refers to a traditional dish of fried or stewed calf brains.
- When using the idiom devanarse los sesos, you are metaphorically 'unraveling' your brain, much like one would unravel a ball of yarn.
- The word seso shares a common ancestor with the English word 'sense', as both derive from the Latin 'sensus' relating to perception.
Examples in context
- El hombre se voló los sesos.The man blew out his own brains.This sentence uses seso to describe a person blowing out their brains.Tatoeba #1468166 by marcelostockle, translation #45299 by CK
- Ziri es un zombi y come sesos.Ziri is a zombie and he eats brains.This sentence uses seso to describe a zombie eating brains.Tatoeba #13439241 by Seael, translation #11190059 by Amastan
- Me estoy devanando los sesos para encontrar una solución.I'm racking my brains to find a solution.This sentence uses seso in the idiom for racking one's brains to find a solution.Tatoeba #2267231 by cueyayotl, translation #2267230 by _undertoad
- El cerebro humano es un órgano fascinante.The human brain is a fascinating organ.
- Usa el coco antes de tomar una decisión apresurada.Use your brain before making a hasty decision.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Daniel are discussing a very difficult math problem.
- MaríaNo entiendo este problema, me falta seso.I don't understand this problem, I lack the brains.
- DanielNo digas eso, María, eres muy lista.Don't say that, María, you are very smart.
- MaríaPero Daniel tiene más seso para las matemáticas.But Daniel has more brains for mathematics.
- DanielSi quieres, podemos resolverlo juntos ahora.If you want, we can solve it together now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brains” translations and entries seso, sesera, mollera, entendederas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sesera, seso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
