uñas
/uɲas/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'nails' is translated into Spanish as uñas.
The word uñas is used to refer to fingernails or toenails. Specifically, uñas del dedo translates to nails of the finger, while uñas de los pies translates to nails of the feet.
Which one should you use?
The word uñas refers specifically to the body parts (fingernails or toenails). In contrast, the word clavos is used for the metal nails used in construction.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of uñas is uña.
How do you pronounce it?
/uɲas/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use clavos when referring to fingernails, but clavos only refers to the metal hardware used in carpentry.
Did you know?
- While uñas refers to the body, the word clavo can be used as a slang term in some Latin American countries to describe a boring person or a tedious situation.
- In Spanish, the word uñas can also refer to the claws of an animal, such as a hawk or a cat, whereas English typically distinguishes between 'nails' and 'claws'.
- The term uñas is used in the phrase estamos en las uñas, which in certain contexts describes a state of extreme poverty or having nothing left.
Examples in context
- Se muerde las uñas.He bites his nails.This sentence is useful for describing the habit of biting one's uñas.Tatoeba #7942969 by Seael, translation #7384612 by CH
- Mary se limó las uñas.Mary filed her nails.This sentence is useful for describing the action of filing one's uñas.Tatoeba #8005631 by Seael, translation #5287089 by Hybrid
- No te muerdas las uñas.Don't bite your nails.This sentence is useful for giving a command not to bite one's uñas.Tatoeba #580974 by Shishir, translation #39753 by CK
- Hoy me pinté las uñas de rojo fuego. ¡Están preciosas!Today I painted my nails fiery red. They look beautiful!
- Tienes unas uñotas increíbles. ¿Son tuyas?You have amazing long nails. Are they real?
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena is showing her new manicure to Alejandro.
- Alejandro¿Te hiciste las uñas hoy, Elena?Did you do your nails today, Elena?
- ElenaSí, me encanta este color de uñas.Yes, I love this nail color.
- AlejandroTe quedan muy bien las uñas rojas.The red nails look very good on you.
- ElenaGracias, Alejandro, eres muy amable.Thanks, Alejandro, you are very kind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
