puro hueso
/puɾo weso/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'skinny bones' can be translated into Spanish as puro hueso.
This phrase is a descriptive idiom used to describe a person who lacks body fat and appears skeletal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase puro hueso literally translates to 'nothing but bone'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, such as Argentina and Uruguay, you might hear the phrase flaco/flaca como un alambre, which translates to 'skinny like a wire'.
How does it change in a sentence?
While the singular puro hueso is a common idiomatic way to describe a person, the plural puros huesos can also be used to describe the same state of being extremely thin.
When do people say it?
An informal way to express the idea of being extremely thin is the phrase Flaco como un espárrago, which means 'skinny like an asparagus'.
Did you know?
- In a political context, the word hueso refers to a government position or a lucrative appointment. This comes from the image of a dog fighting over a bone.
- The term puro hueso is often used as a teasing nickname or a 'sobrenombre' among friends and family in many Spanish speaking cultures.
- Unlike English where 'skinny' is often an adjective, the Spanish expression puro hueso functions as a noun phrase that essentially renames the person as a collection of bones.
Examples in context
- Ese chico es puro hueso.That boy is skin and bones.
- No me gusta, es puro hueso.I don't like him, he is skin and bones.
- Mi hermano es puro hueso.My brother is skin and bones.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a boy they saw at the gym.
- María¿Viste al entrenador nuevo?Did you see the new trainer?
- DanielSí, pero es puro hueso.Yes, but he is skin and bones.
- MaríaTienes razón, es muy delgado.You're right, he is very thin.
- DanielNecesita comer mucho más.He needs to eat much more.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hueso, puro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
