moco
/ˈmoko/
The English word snot is translated into Spanish as moco.
The word refers to nasal mucus. You can use the verb moquear to describe the action of having a runny nose, and the noun moquera can describe the state of having a runny nose or a continuous discharge of mucus.
Meaning: mucus (noun)
Which one should you use?
The singular form moco often refers to a single piece or a specific instance of mucus, while the plural form mocos is frequently used to refer to nasal discharge in general. The term moquera is used specifically to describe a lot of snot or the state of having a runny nose.
How does it change in a sentence?
While moco is the singular form, the plural form mocos is commonly used when discussing snot or mucus in a general sense.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmoko/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American countries, moco is used colloquially to describe a large, clumsy mistake or a 'blooper'.
- The slang expression moco de pavo uses the word for snot to describe something that is trivial or insignificant.
- The term mocoso literally means 'one who has snot', but it is used as a common way to dismiss someone as a 'brat' or an immature child.
Examples in context
- El moco está saliendo de mi nariz.Snot is pouring out of my nose.This sentence is useful for describing the movement of the moco from a nose.Tatoeba #6457870 by Eccles17, translation #6457728 by Eccles17
- Disculpe, tengo un poco de moco en la nariz. ¿Tiene un pañuelo?Excuse me, I have a bit of snot in my nose. Do you have a tissue?
- No puedo dejar de sonarme los mocos. ¡Estoy resfriado!I can't stop blowing my nose. I have a cold!
- ¡No toques eso! Está lleno de mocos…Don't touch that! It's covered in snot…
- Ese moco es muy verde.That snot is very green.
Example conversation
Sofía is helping Mateo with a cold.
- SofíaMateo, tienes un moco.Mateo, you have some snot.
- MateoAy, no me di cuenta.Oh, I didn't notice.
- SofíaToma un pañuelo para limpiarte.Take a tissue to clean yourself.
- MateoGracias, Sofía.Thank you, Sofía.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry moco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
