molares
/molaɾes/from spelling rules
The English phrase "molar teeth" is molares in Spanish.
The term refers to the large teeth at the back of the mouth used for grinding food.
Which one should you use?
Molares is the anatomical or medical term. In contrast, muelas is the common term used in daily life and los dientes de atrás is an informal way to say "the teeth in the back".
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is masculine and is used with the masculine article los. The singular form is molar, while the default plural form is molares.
How do you pronounce it?
/molaɾes/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the loss of the first muelas de leche (baby molars) is celebrated with a visit from el Ratón Pérez, a mouse who collects teeth in exchange for gifts.
- The common word for molar, muela, is also used to describe a millstone used for grinding grain. This is because both the tooth and the stone perform the same grinding action.
- The expression sacar la muela is sometimes used metaphorically to describe the act of extracting a difficult or stubborn piece of information from someone.
Examples in context
- Tengo dolor en los molares.I have pain in my molars.
- ¿Quieres decir que te duelen las muelas?Do you mean your molars hurt?
- Los molares son muy fuertes.The molars are very strong.
- Me duelen los molares al masticar.My molars hurt when I chew.
- El dentista revisó mis molares.The dentist checked my molars.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are talking about a dental appointment.
- Sofía¿Te duele algún diente, Javier?Does any tooth hurt you, Javier?
- JavierSí, me duelen los molares de atrás.Yes, my back molars hurt.
- SofíaDeberías ir al dentista pronto.You should go to the dentist soon.
- JavierTienes razón, Sofía.You are right, Sofía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
