orejeras
/oɾexeɾas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "muffs" translates to Spanish as orejeras.
Orejeras refers to warm coverings worn over the ears to protect them from the cold. It is also the term used for earmuffs designed for hearing protection in industrial settings.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of oreja (ear) and the suffix -eras, which indicates a tool or object intended for a specific purpose.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the word is orejera. You may also see the phrase fundas para orejas used to mean ear covers or orejeras peludas to describe hairy muffs.
How do you pronounce it?
/oɾexeɾas/
Did you know?
- While orejeras describes the accessory, the word oreja is also used in Spanish gastronomy to describe a 'pig's ear' or a honey-glazed pastry shaped like one.
- In the equestrian world, orejeras refers to the fabric hoods used to cover a horse's ears to reduce noise and prevent insects from entering.
- Spanish differentiates between oído for the sense of hearing and oreja for the external ear, meaning orejeras only cover the physical anatomy.
Examples in context
- Es mejor usar orejeras cuando hace frío para proteger las orejas del viento.It's better to use muffs when it's cold to protect your ears from the wind.
- Mis amigos siempre me regalan orejeras peludas para burlarse de mí cuando hace frío.My friends always give me hairy muffs as a joke when it's cold.
- Tengo unas orejeras de lana.I have some wool muffs.
- ¿Dónde dejaste mis orejeras?Where did you leave my muffs?
- Estas orejeras son muy suaves.These muffs are very soft.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are getting ready to go outside in winter.
- JavierLucía, ¿dónde están mis orejeras?Lucía, where are my earmuffs?
- LucíaEstán sobre la mesa, Javier.They are on the table, Javier.
- JavierGracias, ahora no tendré frío.Thanks, now I won't be cold.
- LucíaYo también llevaré mis orejeras.I will wear my earmuffs too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry orejeras, 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.
