músculo magro
/muskulo maɡɾo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'lean muscle' is translated into Spanish as músculo magro.
This phrase refers to muscle mass that has a low percentage of body fat. In fitness or medical contexts, it is common to use the phrase masa muscular magra to refer specifically to lean muscle mass.
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective magro literally means 'lean' or 'low in fat' when used to describe meat or muscle.
Which one should you use?
You may use masa muscular magra in formal settings. In informal contexts, you can refer to lean muscle as músculo definido.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to lean muscles in the plural, change both the noun and the adjective to their plural forms: músculos magros.
Did you know?
- The word músculo is a diminutive of the Latin word for 'little mouse', because a contracting muscle resembles a mouse moving under the skin.
- In Spanish, describing a person as magro is much more common when talking about the quality of meat than when describing human anatomy.
Examples in context
- Para desarrollar masa muscular magra, es esencial combinar entrenamiento de fuerza con una alimentación saludable.To develop lean muscle, it's essential to combine strength training with a healthy diet.
- Necesito trabajar en desarrollar más masa muscular magra en mis piernas.I need to work on developing more lean muscle in my legs.
- Él tiene mucho músculo magro.He has a lot of lean muscle.
- Busco ganar músculo magro este año.I am looking to gain lean muscle this year.
- Su cuerpo es puro músculo magro.Her body is pure lean muscle.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are at the gym talking about fitness.
- Daniel¿Quieres ganar músculo magro?Do you want to gain lean muscle?
- MaríaSí, Daniel, es mi objetivo principal.Yes, Daniel, it is my main goal.
- DanielEntonces debes comer mucha proteína.Then you must eat a lot of protein.
- MaríaLo sé, voy a empezar hoy mismo.I know, I am going to start today.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries magro, músculo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
