lienzo
/ˈljenθo/masculine
The English word canvas is translated into Spanish as lienzo. Wiktionary also lists tela and brabante.
Meaning: piece of canvas cloth on which one may paint (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| lienzo | /ˈljenθo/ /ˈljenso/ |
masculine |
| tela | /ˈtela/ | feminine |
| brabante | /bɾabante/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term refers to the piece of canvas cloth used as a surface for painting. The phrase lienzo en blanco is used both literally to describe an unpainted canvas and metaphorically to describe a fresh start or a situation without preconceived ideas.
Which one should you use?
Use lienzo when referring specifically to the prepared surface or artistic support used by an artist for a painting. Use tela when you are referring to the material or fabric itself rather than the specific artistic support.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, canvas is commonly referred to as lienzo or bastidor. In Mexico, both lienzo and tela are frequently used to convey the meaning of canvas.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of lienzo is lienzos and the plural of tela is telas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈljenθo/
Did you know?
- The diphthong in lienzo is a linguistic mystery, as it is not entirely certain why the Spanish form developed the /je/ sound from its Latin ancestor.
- In Argentina, an artist might use the word bastidor to refer to the canvas, which specifically emphasizes the wooden stretching frame.
- While lienzo describes the artist's surface, it can also be used to describe a single sheet or panel within a much larger piece of textile work.
Examples in context
- Mary tomó un lienzo y pinturas y caminó hacia el arroyo.Mary took a canvas and paints and walked to the brook.This sentence shows how to use lienzo when an artist is taking supplies to a location.Tatoeba #5995682 by albrusgher, translation #5868210 by maaster
- El lienzo en blanco siempre le supone un reto muy difícil a Lourdes pero una vez que logra dar la primera pincelada todo es coser y cantar.The blank canvas always presents a very difficult challenge to Lourdes, but once she achieve the first brushstroke then the rest is smooth sailing.This sentence uses the idiom lienzo en blanco to describe a difficult challenge.Tatoeba #10191960 by Seael, translation #10614493 by sangelo
- El pintor ama su tela y su pincel.The painter loves his canvas and brush.This sentence uses tela to refer to the fabric or material a painter uses.Tatoeba #11472848 by carlosalberto, translation #11472844 by carlosalberto
- Este retrato está pintado sobre un lienzo de alta calidad.This portrait is painted on a high-quality canvas.
- Compré este lienzo más económico para mis primeros experimentos.I bought this cheaper canvas for my first experiments.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are in an art supply store.
- Lucía¿De qué tamaño es este lienzo?How big is this canvas?
- MateoEs un lienzo pequeño para principiantes.It is a small canvas for beginners.
- LucíaMateo, creo que este lienzo es perfecto.Mateo, I think this canvas is perfect.
- MateoTienes razón, Lucía, es muy bueno.You are right, Lucía, it is very good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “canvas” translations and entries lienzo, tela, 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 lienzo, tela, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
