posar
/poˈsaɾ/
The English phrase "pose" is translated into Spanish as posar.
The verb posar is used when a person is posing for a photographer or an artist.
Meaning: (transitive) To place in an attitude or fixed position, for the sake of effect. (verb)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/poˈsaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Unlike in English, where you 'pose' a question, in Spanish you do not use posar for questions. You would use plantear instead.
Did you know?
- When talking about 'striking a pose' in a dramatic or arrogant way, Spanish speakers might use postureo, a modern slang term derived from the same root.
- If you are talking about a bird or an insect landing on a branch, you can use posarse. This uses the same root as 'posing' to describe the bird 'positioning' itself for a rest.
- The Spanish verb posar is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'pause'. While they sound different, both words stem from the Latin 'pausare', which relates to stopping or staying in one place.
Examples in context
- El modelo posó para el pintorThe model posed for the painter
- El yoga requiere adoptar diferentes posturasYoga requires adopting different poses
- Vamos a hacer una pose divertida para la fotoLet's strike a funny pose for the picture
- La modelo posó graciosamente para el fotógrafo.The model posed gracefully for the photographer.
- Los novios hicieron varias poses románticas durante la sesión de fotos.The couple struck several romantic poses during the photoshoot.
- Durante la clase de ballet, las bailarinas adoptaron diferentes posturas.During the ballet class, the dancers took on different poses.
- Ella posa para la cámara.She poses for the camera.
- Ella prefiere posar para la cámara.She prefers to pose for the camera.
- El modelo debe posar con naturalidad.The model must pose naturally.
- No me gusta posar en las fotos.I don't like posing in photos.
Example conversation
A professional photo studio during a photoshoot.
- LucíaJavier, ¿puedes posar un momento?Javier, can you pose for a moment?
- JavierSí, Lucía. ¿Cómo debo posar?Yes, Lucía. How should I pose?
- LucíaSolo posa con las manos en los bolsillos.Just pose with your hands in your pockets.
- JavierEstá bien, lo haré.Okay, I'll do it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pose” translations and entries posar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries posar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
