clavícula
/klabikula/from spelling rules
The English phrase "collarbone" is translated into Spanish as clavícula.
clavícula refers to the bone that connects the shoulder blade to the breastbone.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In several Latin American countries, including Mexico and Argentina, clavícula is a common way to refer to the collarbone.
How does it change in a sentence?
clavícula is a feminine noun. The plural form is las clavículas.
How do you pronounce it?
/klabikula/
Did you know?
- The word clavícula is actually a diminutive in Latin, meaning 'small key'. This stems from the idea that the bone 'unlocks' or holds the shoulder in place.
- The word clavícula is a linguistic relative of clavija, which refers to a tuning pin on a guitar or a hardware peg.
- While clavícula is the standard term, the Latin root clāvis also evolved into the modern Spanish word for key, llave.
Examples in context
- El médico me dijo que tengo una fractura de clavículaThe doctor told me I have a collarbone fracture
- Me duele la clavícula.My collarbone hurts.
- Tiene una fractura en la clavícula.He has a fracture in his collarbone.
- La clavícula es un hueso largo.The collarbone is a long bone.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are at a clinic after a sports injury.
- Alejandro¿Qué te pasó, Lucía?What happened to you, Lucía?
- LucíaMe golpeé la clavícula jugando al fútbol.I hit my collarbone playing soccer.
- AlejandroEspero que no sea nada grave.I hope it is nothing serious.
- LucíaEl médico está revisando mi clavícula ahora.The doctor is checking my collarbone now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries clavícula, CC BY-SA 4.0.
