pintura
/pinˈtuɾa/feminine
In Spanish, the word for painting can be expressed as pintura or cuadro.
Meaning: an illustration or artwork using paint (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pintura | /pinˈtuɾa/ | feminine |
| cuadro | /ˈkwadɾo/ | masculine |
Pintura is used more broadly to describe the art of painting or the material used.
Which one should you use?
pintura can refer to the substance (paint) or the art form itself, whereas cuadro refers to the physical object.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, Lienzo is a term that specifically refers to a painting on canvas. In some Latin American countries like Mexico, Tabla is used to refer to a painting made on a wooden surface.
How does it change in a sentence?
the plural of pintura is pinturas. the plural of cuadro is cuadros.
How do you pronounce it?
/pinˈtuɾa/
Did you know?
- The verb pintar can be used figuratively in Spanish to describe whether someone is 'included' or 'relevant' in a plan, as in no pintan nada.
- In Spanish, if you describe a situation as un cuadro, you are using a metaphor to say that a scene is so chaotic or peculiar that it looks like a painting.
- The word cuadro is actually a linguistic descendant of the number 'four'. It stems from the Latin 'quadrum', which is related to 'quattuor', meaning 'four'.
Examples in context
- Esta es mi pintura.This is my painting.This sentence is useful for identifying ownership of a pintura.Tatoeba #1901150 by marcelostockle, translation #1898104 by CK
- Esa pintura es una copia.That painting is a copy.This sentence is useful for describing a pintura that is a copy.Tatoeba #1713034 by marcelostockle, translation #68499 by CK
- ¿Es una pintura original?Is that an original painting?This sentence is useful for asking about the originality of a pintura.Tatoeba #12903392 by entusiasta, translation #2796872 by sharptoothed
- ¡Me encanta esa pintura!I love that painting!
- El cuadro de 'La Gioconda' es icónicoThe painting of 'La Gioconda' is iconic
- ¿Has visto el cuadro que está en el salón?Have you seen the painting in the living room?
- Qué hermoso retrato, capturaste su esenciaWhat a beautiful portrait, you captured their essence
- Un cuadro al óleoAn oil painting
- 98 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are at an art gallery.
- MateoMira esta pintura, Elena.Look at this painting, Elena.
- ElenaEs hermosa, Mateo.It is beautiful, Mateo.
- Mateo¿Crees que es de un artista famoso?Do you think it is by a famous artist?
- ElenaNo estoy segura.I am not sure.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “painting” translations and entries pintura, cuadro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuadro, pintura, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
