Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cabeza | /kaˈbeθa/ /kaˈbesa/ |
feminine |
| chola | /ˈt͡ʃola/ | colloquial, feminine |
| coco | /ˈkoko/ | colloquial, masculine |
| marote | /maɾote/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| sabiola | /sabjola/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| sesera | /seˈseɾa/ | feminine, informal |
| tarro | /ˈtaro/ | colloquial, masculine |
| testa | /ˈtesta/ | feminine |
| shola | /sola/ (from spelling rules) | Central America, feminine |
Related expressions include de cabeza, which means moving or falling headfirst or being upside down and the verb encabezar, meaning to be in command of something. The phrase de cabeza can also be used as an adjective meaning of, relating to or intended for the head.
Which one should you use?
While cabeza is the standard anatomical term, coco is a colloquial way to refer to the head and is often used in the context of the brain or intelligence. Sesera is an informal term that specifically refers to the brain or the physical structure of the skull/brain.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Other forms like chola, coco, marote, sabiola, sesera, tarro and testa are more colloquial or informal. Specifically, sesera is an informal way to discuss the brain or skull structure.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Central America, shola is used. In Spain, the colloquial term coco is used to refer to the head.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
cabeza is a feminine noun and requires feminine articles, such as la or una.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaˈbeθa/
Did you know?
- Although it refers to the head, coco is actually a loanword from the Portuguese word for a 'bogeyman'.
- The informal term tarro, which means 'head', literally translates to 'jar' or 'pot' in English.
- In Spanish, describing someone as having 'a good head' buena cabeza often refers to their common sense rather than their physical appearance.
Examples in context
- Tom usó la cabeza.Tom used his head.This sentence shows how to use cabeza to describe using one's intellect.Tatoeba #3677279 by Seael, translation #3434255 by CK
- Se rapó la cabeza.He shaved his head.This sentence uses cabeza to describe a physical action on the head.Tatoeba #4275445 by SrTortuga, translation #2292578 by Hybrid
- Le dolía la cabeza.His head ached.This sentence uses cabeza to describe physical pain.Tatoeba #579779 by Shishir, translation #302007 by CK
- Tengo dolor de cabezaI have a headache
- ¡Me duele el coco!My head hurts!
- El bebé tocó su cabezaThe baby touched his head
- Aguanta la cabeza bien altaHold your head up high
- El jugador bajó la cabeza después de perder el partidoThe player lowered his head after losing the game
- 281 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are at a pharmacy.
- SofíaTengo un dolor fuerte en la cabeza.I have a strong pain in my head.
- JavierPuedes tomar esta pastilla para la cabeza.You can take this pill for your head.
- SofíaGracias, Javier. Me duele mucho la cabeza.Thanks, Javier. My head hurts a lot.
- JavierDescansa un poco y se te pasará.Rest a bit and it will go away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “head” translations and entries cabeza, chola, coco, sesera, tarro, testa, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cabeza, coco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
