ojeras
/oxeɾas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "eye bags" is translated into Spanish as ojeras.
This term is used to describe the dark or puffy skin located under the eyes.
What does it mean word for word?
The word ojeras is derived from ojo (eye) and the suffix -era (indicating a place or thing related to), literally referring to the area around the eyes.
Which one should you use?
While ojeras specifically refers to the dark discoloration (dark circles), bolsas bajo los ojos is used when emphasizing the physical puffiness or swelling (eye bags).
How does it change in a sentence?
While ojeras is the most common way to refer to the condition generally, the singular form ojera can be used to refer to a single dark circle under one eye.
How do you pronounce it?
/oxeɾas/
Did you know?
- The suffix -era in ojeras is the same one used in caldera (boiler) and cafetera (coffee maker), treating the area under the eye as a 'container' or specific zone.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, ojeras are not always seen as a sign of tiredness but can be perceived as a trait of intellectualism or a 'melancholy' aesthetic.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if you want to describe looking exhausted, you might say you have ojeras from 'lack of sleep' or even 'stress', rather than just physical fatigue.
Examples in context
- Mi abuela tiene bolsas bajo los ojos debido a la falta de sueño.My grandmother has eye bags due to lack of sleep.
- Me quedé viendo películas hasta tarde y ahora tengo unas ojeras enormes.I stayed up late watching movies, and now I have huge eye bags.
- Después de la fiesta, todos teníamos bolsas en los ojos por la falta de descanso.After the party, we all had eye bags due to lack of rest.
- Tengo ojeras por no dormir bien.I have dark circles because I didn't sleep well.
- Tengo las ojeras muy marcadas hoy.I have very noticeable eye bags today.
- Esas ojeras te hacen parecer cansado.Those eye bags make you look tired.
- El corrector de maquillaje ayuda con las ojeras.Makeup concealer helps with eye bags.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are talking in the office.
- LucíaAlejandro, tienes unas ojeras muy marcadas.Alejandro, your eye bags are very prominent.
- AlejandroEs que no pude dormir anoche.It's just that I couldn't sleep last night.
- LucíaDeberías descansar para quitarte las ojeras.You should rest to get rid of the eye bags.
- AlejandroTienes razón, iré a dormir temprano.You are right, I will go to sleep early.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ojeras, 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.
