anteojos
/anteˈoxos/
The Spanish word for glasses is anteojos.
Anteojos refers to corrective lenses worn over the eyes to improve vision.
What does it mean word for word?
The root of the word comes from ojos, which means eyes.
Which one should you use?
While anteojos is a common term for corrective lenses, you may also encounter gafas or lentes depending on the country.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is almost always used in its plural form, anteojos, to refer to a single pair of glasses. Although the singular form anteojo exists, it is rarely used to mean a single pair of glasses.
How do you pronounce it?
/anteˈoxos/
Did you know?
- While anteojos usually means corrective lenses, in some contexts un anteojo can refer to a telescope or a handheld spyglass.
- The term gafas can occasionally be used as a slang term for eyes in certain regional dialects, though its primary meaning remains eyewear.
- The prefix ante in anteojos literally means 'before' or 'in front of', meaning the word describes something placed 'in front of the eyes'.
Examples in context
- Se quitó los anteojos.He took off his glasses.This sentence shows how to describe the action of taking off anteojos.Tatoeba #12443254 by emma_zunz, translation #294986 by CK
- El muchacho usa anteojos.The boy is wearing glasses.This sentence describes someone wearing anteojos.Tatoeba #552554 by Leono, translation #388021 by CK
- Yo puedo leer sin anteojos.I can read without glasses.This sentence illustrates the ability to read without using anteojos.Tatoeba #1169717 by marcelostockle, translation #256747 by CK
- Necesito comprar unas gafas nuevasI need to buy some new glasses
- Por favor, limpie mis lentesPlease clean my glasses
- Me olvidé mis anteojos en casaI forgot my glasses at home
- Necesito unos nuevos espejuelosI need some new glasses
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are at home looking for something.
- Mateo¿Has visto mis anteojos, María?Have you seen my glasses, María?
- MaríaEstán sobre la mesa, Mateo.They are on the table, Mateo.
- MateoGracias, los necesitaba para leer.Thanks, I needed them to read.
- MaríaDe nada, no los pierdas.You're welcome, don't lose them.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry anteojos, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anteojos, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
