cabeza cuadrada
/kabeθa kwadɾada/from spelling rules
The English phrase "square head" is translated into Spanish as cabeza cuadrada.
This phrase is used to describe a person who is stubborn or narrow-minded.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of "square head", where cabeza means "head" and cuadrada means "square".
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, use cabezas cuadradas. Both the noun and the adjective must be changed to their feminine plural forms.
How do you pronounce it?
/kabeθa kwadɾada/
Did you know?
- The word cabeza comes from the Vulgar Latin capitia, which was originally a diminutive form of the Latin word caput.
- While cabeza cuadrada implies a narrow mind, calling someone cabezotas uses a grammatical augmentative to playfully exaggerate their stubbornness.
- In Spanish, if you describe someone as cuadrado without mentioning the head, you are calling them 'square' in the social sense, meaning they are boring or overly conventional.
Examples in context
- Juan tiene una cabeza cuadrada.Juan has a square head.
- Deja de ser tan cabeza cuadrada con tus ideas.Stop being such a square head with your ideas.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are discussing a new way to work.
- ElenaDeberíamos probar este nuevo método, Alejandro.We should try this new method, Alejandro.
- AlejandroPrefiero seguir haciendo las cosas como siempre.I prefer to keep doing things as always.
- Elena¡Qué cabeza cuadrada eres!How narrow-minded you are!
- AlejandroSolo quiero evitar riesgos innecesarios.I just want to avoid unnecessary risks.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cabeza cuadrada, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cabeza, CC BY-SA 4.0.
