mejillas
/mexiʝas/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for cheeks is mejillas.
The term mejillas refers to the fleshy parts of the face located below the eyes.
Which one should you use?
While mejillas is the standard term, you may encounter cachetes, which is a more colloquial and often more affectionate way to refer to cheeks. In a more formal or anatomical context, pómulos is used to specifically refer to the bony protuberances on the cheeks.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, the informal word cachetes might also be used to refer to the buttocks.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of this word is mejilla.
How do you pronounce it?
/mexiʝas/
Did you know?
- The phrase dar cachetadas means 'to slap someone in the face', deriving from the word cachetes.
- While English speakers use 'cheeky' to mean impudent, Spanish speakers do not use the word for cheeks to describe a personality trait.
- The word cachete is used in some regions to describe the flat side of an object, such as the 'cheek' of a tool or a piece of furniture.
Examples in context
- Sus mejillas estaban rojas.Her cheeks were red.This sentence is useful for describing the color of someone's mejillas.Tatoeba #1786916 by marcelostockle, translation #309045 by CK
- Se le sonrojaron las mejillas.Her cheeks flamed up.This sentence is useful for describing someone's mejillas blushing.Tatoeba #1397793 by marcelostockle, translation #309856 by sacredceltic
- Caían lágrimas por sus mejillas.Tears were running down her cheeks.This sentence is useful for describing tears running down someone's mejillas.Tatoeba #616083 by Shishir, translation #325983 by CM
- La niña tenía las mejillas sonrosadas por el frío.The girl had rosy cheeks due to the cold.
- El maquillador aplicó rubor en los pómulos para resaltar sus facciones.The makeup artist applied blush on the cheeks to highlight her features.
- El bebé tiene unos cachetes muy suaves.The baby has very soft cheeks.
- ¡Ven aquí, que te voy a dar un beso en los cachetes!Come here, I'm going to give you a kiss on your cheeks!
- se sonrojó hasta las mejillasBlushed to the cheeks
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena is laughing at something Alejandro said.
- Alejandro¡Qué risa! Tienes las mejillas muy rojas.That's so funny! Your cheeks are very red.
- ElenaEs que me has dado mucha vergüenza.It is just that you made me very embarrassed.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, te ves muy bien.Don't worry, you look very good.
- ElenaGracias, Alejandro, eres muy amable.Thanks, Alejandro, you are very kind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
