pierna
/ˈpjeɾna/feminine
The Spanish word for leg is pierna. Wiktionary also lists pata and calanca.
Meaning: lower limb from groin to ankle (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pierna | /ˈpjeɾna/ | feminine |
| pata | /ˈpata/ | feminine |
| calanca | /kalanka/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
The term refers to the lower limb extending from the groin to the ankle.
Which one should you use?
pata is primarily used to refer to the legs of animals. While pata can be used in some slang contexts to refer to a person's leg, it is very informal and can sound derogatory.
How does it change in a sentence?
All three forms, pierna, pata and calanca, are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpjeɾna/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using pata when referring to human legs. English speakers often make this mistake, but it can sound dehumanizing or incorrect in standard Spanish.
Did you know?
- The phrase estirar la pata literally means 'to stretch the leg' but is a common idiom meaning 'to kick the bucket' or die.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, pata is used as a friendly slang term for a 'close friend' or 'buddy' rather than a body part.
- While pata usually refers to animal legs, it is also the Spanish word for 'female duck', derived from the Arabic word baṭṭ.
Examples in context
- Me rompí la pierna.I broke my leg.This sentence is useful for describing a broken pierna.Tatoeba #1248573 by Shishir, translation #259242 by CK
- Me duele la pierna.My leg is aching.This sentence is useful for expressing that your pierna is aching.Tatoeba #1359449 by marcelostockle, translation #642492 by minshirui
- Tiene una pata rota.It has a broken leg.This sentence is useful for describing an animal that has a broken pata.Tatoeba #7695025 by arh, translation #9194693 by DJ_Saidez
- 132 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are at a sports clinic.
- MateoLucía, ¿te duele la pierna izquierda?Lucía, does your left leg hurt?
- LucíaSí, Mateo, tengo la pierna muy hinchada.Yes, Mateo, my leg is very swollen.
- MateoDebes descansar la pierna un poco.You should rest your leg a bit.
- LucíaTienes razón, voy a sentarme.You are right, I am going to sit down.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “leg” translations and entries pierna, pata, 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 pata, pierna, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
