mi cara
/mi kaɾa/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "my face" is translated as mi cara.
The phrase refers to the front part of a person's head from the forehead to the chin. Idiomatically, the prepositional phrase en mi cara is used to express that someone did something directly to one's face, often in a disrespectful or blatant manner.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the possessive adjective mi (my) and the noun cara (face).
Which one should you use?
While cara is the most common word for face, rostro is a more formal or poetic synonym often used in literature or when discussing facial features in a more elevated way.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Mi jeta is a colloquial way to say "my face" in some Spanish-speaking regions.
How do you pronounce it?
/mi kaɾa/
Did you know?
- While cara means 'face', it is also the feminine form of the adjective for 'expensive'.
- To admit a mistake or face a difficult situation bravely is called dar la cara, which literally translates to 'to give the face'.
- Using the word jeta instead of cara can imply that the person has a 'cheeky' or shameless attitude, similar to the English phrase 'what nerve'.
Examples in context
- Mi cara es bonita.My face is pretty.This sentence uses mi cara to describe an attribute of the face.Tatoeba #6797761 by arh, translation #8292444 by lunchmeat317
- Él me mintió en mi cara.He lied to my face.This sentence uses mi cara to show someone lied directly to the speaker.Tatoeba #1286301 by marcelostockle, translation #953316 by CK
- Tomás se rió en mi cara.Tom laughed in my face.This sentence uses mi cara to show someone laughed in the speaker's face.Tatoeba #5113587 by don_ramon, translation #3183732 by CK
- Debo cuidar mi caraI must take care of my face
- ¡Mira mi cara de sorpresa!Look at my surprised face!
- No puedo creerlo, me golpearon en la jetaI can't believe it, I got punched in the face
- Necesito un tratamiento para hidratar mi rostroI need a moisturizing treatment for my face
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are looking at a photo together.
- Elena¿Qué pasó con mi cara en esta foto?What happened to my face in this photo?
- DanielNo te preocupes, Elena, sales muy bien.Don't worry, Elena, you look great.
- ElenaEs que mi cara se ve muy roja.It's just that my face looks very red.
- DanielEs por el sol, pero te ves guapa.It is because of the sun, but you look pretty.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
