Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bulto | /ˈbulto/ | masculine |
| grumo | /ˈɡɾumo/ | masculine |
Spanish uses different words for a lump depending on whether the object is a physical swelling or a mass of particles. bulto refers to a physical bulge, swelling or a large mass that is visible under the skin or clothing. grumo is used for a lump or clot caused by particles sticking together within a liquid or semi-solid substance, such as lumps in flour, sauce or blood.
Which one should you use?
Use bulto when referring to a physical bulge, swelling or a large mass visible under clothing or skin. Use grumo when referring to a lump or clot caused by particles sticking together in a liquid or semi-solid, such as lumps in flour, sauce or blood.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both bulto and grumo are masculine nouns. The phrase un bulto is commonly used in medical contexts to describe a physical swelling or mass felt on the body.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbulto/
Did you know?
- The word bulto comes from the Latin vultus, meaning 'face'. This reflects an old way of thinking about a 'lump' as something that provides a face or a front to an object.
- In a commercial or logistical context, bulto can be used to describe a bulk shipment or a large package of goods. In this sense, the word refers more to the volume and scale of the shipment than to a specific lump shape.
- While grumo describes a lump in a liquid, the word grumoso is frequently used in medical Spanish to describe the texture of certain tissues or secretions during a physical exam.
Examples in context
- un bulto en el senoA lump in your breast
- un tumor benignoA benign lump
- una protuberancia en su frenteA lump on his forehead
- se hizo un chichón en la cabezaHe got a lump on his head
- Encontré un bulto en el brazo y me preocupaI found a lump on my arm, and I'm concerned about it.
- Descubrió un bulto en el seno durante una autoexploraciónShe discovered a lump in her breast during a self-examination.
- Tiene un chichón en la pierna después de la caídaHe has a lump on his leg after the fall.
- Mira, hay un bulto justo aquí, detrás de la orejaLook, there's a lump right here, behind the ear.
- La salsa tiene muchos grumos.The sauce has many lumps.
- Tiene un bulto en la espalda.He/she has a lump on the back.
- Hay un bulto en la alfombra.There is a lump in the rug.
- El bulto de la ropa está en la silla.The lump of clothes is on the chair.
- Vi un bulto extraño en el camino.I saw a strange lump on the path.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are looking at a wrapped gift.
- AlejandroMira este bulto en el regalo.Look at this lump in the gift.
- SofíaParece que tiene una forma rara.It looks like it has a weird shape.
- Alejandro¿Crees que es un libro?Do you think it is a book?
- SofíaNo lo sé, Sofía no me dijo.I don't know, Sofía didn't tell me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lump” translations and entries bulto, grumo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bulto, grumo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
