Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| callo | /ˈkaʝo/ | masculine |
| callosidad | /kaʝosiˈdad/ | feminine |
| duricia | /duɾiθja/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /duɾisja/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
A callus is a hardened part of the skin. You can describe a hard callus as callo duro or a soft callus as callo blando. To express that someone has a callus, use the verb tener (to have) followed by the noun, such as tengo un callo (I have a callus). Additionally, the verb callosarse can be used to refer to the action of forming a callus.
Which one should you use?
While callo is the standard term, callosidad is used in medical or formal contexts to describe a callus or a state of thickened skin. In formal medical settings, the term dureza may also be used to refer to a callus.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkaʝo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse the noun callo (callus) with the first-person singular present indicative of the verb callar (to be quiet), which is also spelled callo.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, particularly in Spain, the word callos refers to a very popular and traditional heavy stew made from tripe (cow stomach).
- In Spanish medical terminology, callo óseo refers to the hard bridge of new bone that forms around a fracture during healing.
- The phrase hacerse callos can be used metaphorically to mean becoming emotionally numb or indifferent to a difficult situation.
Examples in context
- La callosidad se formó como resultado del contacto continuo con superficies ásperas.The callus formed as a result of continuous contact with rough surfaces.
- Desarrollé callos en los pies después de caminar descalzo durante la excursión.I developed calluses on my feet after walking barefoot during the excursion.
- Mis manos están callosas debido al trabajo manual que hago todos los días.My hands are calloused due to the manual work I do every day.
- Mis manos tienen un callo duro debido al trabajo manual que realizo.My hands have a hard callus due to the manual work I perform.
- El roce continuo hizo que mi piel se callosara en esa zona.The continuous rubbing caused my skin to callus in that area.
- Las bailarinas suelen desarrollar callos duros en los pies debido al roce constante con los zapatos.Dancers often develop hard calluses on their feet due to constant rubbing with their shoes.
- Tengo un callo en el dedo.I have a callus on my finger.
- El callo me duele al caminar.The callus hurts when I walk.
- Ese callo es muy duro.That callus is very hard.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are talking about their new running shoes.
- ElenaMateo, ¿te molestan los zapatos nuevos?Mateo, are the new shoes bothering you?
- MateoSí, me salió un callo en el talón.Yes, I got a callus on my heel.
- ElenaDeberías usar calcetines más gruesos.You should wear thicker socks.
- MateoTienes razón, lo intentaré mañana.You are right, I will try it tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “callus” translations and entries callo, callosidad, duricia, 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.
