cuerpo
/ˈkweɾpo/
cuerpo is the Spanish word for the English phrase body.
cuerpo refers to the physical structure of a person or an animal.
Which one should you use?
While cuerpo is the standard term, you might use organismo in a formal context to emphasize the biological aspect of a body or cuerpazo informally to express admiration for someone with an attractive or fit body.
How does it change in a sentence?
cuerpo is a masculine noun and is used with the masculine definite article el (e.g., el cuerpo). The plural form is cuerpos.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkweɾpo/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the phrase cuerpo de delito refers to the 'corpus delicti', or the physical evidence of a crime. While it literally means 'body of the crime', it does not necessarily refer to a human corpse.
- The Spanish word cuerpo is a direct descendant of the Latin 'corpus', making it a close relative of the English word 'corpse'.
- The expression poner el cuerpo is used when someone takes the brunt of a situation or physically absorbs the impact of a problem for others. It describes a selfless act of endurance rather than a biological state.
Examples in context
- Es importante mantener un organismo saludable y activo.It is important to maintain a healthy and active body.
- La estructura física de cada individuo es única e irrepetible.The physical structure of each individual is unique and unrepeatable.
- ¡Estás en excelente forma! Tienes un cuerpazo.You're in great shape! You have an amazing body.
- El atleta tiene un cuerpo muy fuerte.The athlete has a very strong body.
- Siento un dolor extraño en todo el cuerpo.I feel a strange pain in my whole body.
- Es importante cuidar el cuerpo con ejercicio.It is important to take care of your body with exercise.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are talking at a gym.
- MateoEntrenar así es muy duro para el cuerpo.Training like this is very hard on the body.
- MaríaEs verdad, Mateo, pero te ves muy bien.It's true, Mateo, but you look very good.
- MateoGracias, María, trato de cuidarme mucho.Thanks, María, I try to take good care of myself.
- MaríaSe nota que tienes un cuerpo sano.It shows that you have a healthy body.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cuerpo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuerpo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
