mallas
Spain
Spanish has no single word for leggings. People say mallas in Spain, calzas in Argentina and Chile, and the loanword leggins almost everywhere. Licras is used in some Latin American countries.
Meaning: tight stretch pants (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| mallas | Spain |
| calzas | Argentina, Chile |
| leggins | common |
| licras | Latin America |
Which one should you use?
The word depends on region, so shops may label the same item differently. Leggins is the safest choice if you are unsure where you are.
How does it change in a sentence?
All of these are plural feminine nouns, so you say unas mallas or las calzas, with the matching adjective, like unas calzas negras.
Did you know?
- In Spain mallas also refers to tights used for dance or sports.
Examples in context
- Me compré unas mallas negras.I bought black leggings.
- Ponete las calzas, che.Put on your leggings.
- Estos leggins son muy cómodos.These leggings are very comfortable.
Example conversation
Valeria shops for gym clothes with her friend Camila in Buenos Aires.
- ValeriaCamila, ¿te gustan estas calzas?Camila, do you like these leggings?
- CamilaSí, son lindas. ¿Hay en negro?Yes, they are nice. Do they come in black?
- ValeriaSí, preguntemos a la vendedora.Yes, let's ask the saleswoman.
