moco
/ˈmoko/masculine
The Spanish word for mucus is moco.
moco refers to a slippery secretion. While the singular moco often describes a single piece of thick or dried mucus, the plural form is very common when speaking about nasal mucus or snot in a general sense.
Meaning: slippery secretion (noun)
Which one should you use?
Use the singular moco when referring to a single piece of dried or thick mucus. Use the plural mocos to refer to nasal mucus or snot more generally.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of moco is mocos.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmoko/
Did you know?
- There is a specific Spanish slang term moco de pavo (turkey snot) used to describe something that is very fragile or easily broken.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word mocoso (derived from moco) is a common way to call someone a 'brat' or a 'snot-nosed kid'.
- In certain contexts, the adjective mocoso can be used affectionately by grandparents to describe a small child, mirroring the English 'little rascal'.
Examples in context
- El paciente presenta una mucosidad excesiva.The patient has excessive mucus.
- Mi hijo tiene mocos y no se siente bien.My son has mucus and is not feeling well.
- Tiene un moco en la nariz.He has a booger in his nose.
- El moco es muy espeso.The mucus is very thick.
- Tiene un moco verde en la nariz.He has green mucus in his nose.
- Limpié el moco de la mesa.I cleaned the mucus off the table.
Example conversation
Lucía is helping Alejandro because he has a cold.
- LucíaAlejandro, tienes moco en la cara.Alejandro, you have mucus on your face.
- AlejandroLo siento, me siento muy mal.I'm sorry, I feel very sick.
- LucíaToma este pañuelo para limpiarte el moco.Take this tissue to wipe the mucus.
- AlejandroGracias, Lucía.Thank you, Lucía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mucus” translations and entries moco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
