Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| boca | /ˈboka/ | feminine |
| busa | /busa/ (from spelling rules) | Argentina, feminine |
| bemba | /ˈbemba/ | feminine |
| jeta | /ˈxeta/ | feminine |
The term refers to the opening of a creature through which food is ingested. You may use it in various contexts, such as when a dentist examines you (El dentista me revisó la boca), when describing physical sensations like a bitter taste (Tengo un sabor amargo en la boca) or when giving a command like Abra la boca (Open your mouth).
Which one should you use?
While boca is the standard term, other variations exist depending on the situation. Jeta is a colloquial and somewhat rude way to refer to a mouth, while pico is also a colloquial term. In some contexts, the phrase cierra el buche can be used to tell someone to keep their mouth shut.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Jeta is colloquial and carries a rude connotation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, you may encounter the regional variation busa. In several Latin American countries, particularly in the Caribbean, bemba is used as a slang term for mouth.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Boca is a feminine noun, so it is used with the feminine article la to say 'the mouth' (la boca).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈboka/
Did you know?
- The word jeta is a linguistic guest from Arabic, originally meaning 'snout'.
- Spanish uses the word boca for things that do not eat, such as the 'mouth' of a river or a cave.
Examples in context
- Mi boca se secó.My mouth dried up.This sentence is useful for describing a sensation of dryness in your boca.Tatoeba #1010440 by cueyayotl, translation #1010154 by allmarangie
- Él abrió la boca.He opened his mouth.This sentence shows how to describe the action of opening one's boca.Tatoeba #3791340 by Seael, translation #2298136 by Hybrid
- ¡No abras la boca!Don't open your mouth!This sentence is a command to not open your boca.Tatoeba #1389938 by Shishir, translation #3216911 by _undertoad
- 175 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are eating snacks at a cafe.
- SofíaDaniel, tienes la boca llena de migas.Daniel, you have crumbs in your mouth.
- DanielEs verdad, no me di cuenta.It's true, I didn't realize.
- SofíaUsa una servilleta, por favor.Use a napkin, please.
- DanielGracias, Sofía, ya me limpié.Thanks, Sofía, I already cleaned myself.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mouth” translations and entries boca, bemba, jeta, 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 bemba, boca, jeta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
