carnal
/kaɾˈnal/
The Spanish word carnal means carnal.
This adjective describes things relating to the physical and especially sexual appetites.
Meaning: relating to the physical and especially sexual appetites (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the Latin caro (flesh), meaning fleshly or of flesh.
Which one should you use?
In many contexts, carnal is used as a direct antonym to espiritual to distinguish between physical desires and spiritual ones.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective carnal must agree in number with the noun it modifies, becoming carnales for plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaɾˈnal/
Did you know?
- In Mexican slang, calling someone your carnal is a way to say they are your 'brother' or a very close friend. It transforms a word about physical flesh into a term of deep emotional loyalty.
- The word carnal shares its roots with the English word 'carnage', which refers to bloody slaughter. Both words trace back to the same concept of 'flesh'.
- The term hermano carnal is used to explicitly distinguish a biological sibling from a sibling in a religious or metaphorical sense.
Examples in context
- Él siente un fuerte deseo carnal.He feels a strong carnal desire.
- La literatura trata sobre el placer carnal.The literature deals with carnal pleasure.
- No busco una conexión puramente carnal.I am not looking for a purely carnal connection.
Example conversation
A serious discussion about a relationship in a cafe.
- MaríaNo quiero que nuestra relación sea solo carnal.I don't want our relationship to be just carnal.
- JavierEntiendo tu punto, María.I understand your point, María.
- MaríaNecesito algo más profundo que un impulso carnal.I need something deeper than a carnal impulse.
- JavierYo también busco algo real, no solo carnal.I also seek something real, not just carnal.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “carnal” translations and entries carnal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries carnal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
