cráneo
/ˈkɾaneo/masculine
The English word skull is translated into Spanish as cráneo. Wiktionary also lists calavera and calaca.
Meaning: bones of the head: cranium and mandible (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cráneo | /ˈkɾaneo/ | masculine |
| calavera | /kalaˈbeɾa/ | feminine |
| calaca | /kaˈlaka/ | colloquial, feminine |
The term for skull depends on whether you are speaking scientifically or referring to a skull as a decorative or symbolic object.
Which one should you use?
Use cráneo when referring to the anatomical skull in medical or scientific contexts. Use calavera when referring to a skull as a symbol or decoration, such as a sugar skull. Calaca is a more casual way to refer to a skull or a skeleton.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Cráneo is a formal term used in medical discussions. calaca is a colloquial or slang term used in a lighthearted or folk context.
How does it change in a sentence?
cráneo is a masculine noun and requires masculine articles such as el or un. calavera is a feminine noun and requires feminine articles such as la or una.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkɾaneo/
Did you know?
- The term calavera can be used to describe a person who is a party-goer or a prankster who stays up all night.
- The term calavera is often used in Spanish literature to refer to a satirical poem or a humorous verse, rather than a physical skull.
- The word calavera shares an unexpected root with the word 'bald'. It stems from the Latin 'calvus', suggesting a connection between the smooth, hairless surface of a skull and baldness.
Examples in context
- El cráneo humano consiste de 23 huesos.The human skull consists of 23 bones.This sentence is useful for describing the components of the human cráneo.Tatoeba #1512815 by marcelostockle, translation #1511996 by CK
- La fontanela permite el crecimiento del cráneo del bebé.The fontanelle allows for a baby's skull growth.This sentence is useful for discussing the growth of a baby's cráneo.Tatoeba #13614980 by Seael, translation #12079177 by Amastan
- El muchacho se cayó de la bicicleta y se fracturó el cráneo.The boy fell off the bicycle and fractured his skull.This sentence is useful for describing a medical injury to the cráneo.Tatoeba #2253236 by cueyayotl, translation #2253235 by _undertoad
- El cráneo humano consta de varios huesos.The human skull consists of several bones.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are looking at a dinosaur exhibit in a museum.
- Daniel¿Viste el tamaño de ese cráneo?Did you see the size of that skull?
- LucíaSí, es impresionante, Daniel.Yes, it is impressive, Daniel.
- DanielParece que el cráneo es de metal.It looks like the skull is made of metal.
- LucíaNo, es solo una réplica muy realista.No, it is just a very realistic replica.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “skull” translations and entries cráneo, calavera, calaca, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries calaca, calavera, cráneo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
