What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun grasa (fat) and the adjective abdominal (abdominal).
Which one should you use?
While grasa abdominal is the standard formal term, you might encounter other expressions depending on the context. For medical discussions of adipose tissue, adiposidad abdominal is used, while sobrepeso abdominal specifically refers to excess weight concentrated in that region. In casual conversation, you might hear grasa en la barriga (fat on the belly) or the colloquial panza (belly/potbelly).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Grasa abdominal is a formal, clinical term suitable for medical or fitness contexts. For highly technical medical settings, use adiposidad abdominal or sobrepeso abdominal. In informal settings, you can use grasa en la barriga or panza. Very informal or endearing terms include pancita or tripita for a small belly, and lonjitas or llantitas to describe specific rolls or bulges of fat.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chile, the word guatita is often used to describe a rounded belly.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡɾasa abdominal/
Did you know?
- If you want to describe those specific little rolls of fat on your sides, you can call them llantitas in Mexico, which literally translates to 'little tires'.
- The word grasa shares a common ancestor with the English word 'gross', as both stem from the Latin 'crassus', meaning thick or heavy.
- The colloquial term lonjitas for stomach rolls literally translates to 'little slices', as if the fat were sliced pieces of meat or bread.
Examples in context
- Tiene mucha grasa abdominal.He/she has a lot of abdominal fat.
- Quiero perder la grasa abdominal.I want to lose stomach fat.
- La grasa abdominal es difícil de eliminar.Stomach fat is hard to eliminate.
- Hago ejercicio para reducir la grasa abdominal.I exercise to reduce stomach fat.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are talking about their fitness goals at the gym.
- DanielEstoy haciendo dieta para eliminar mi grasa abdominal.I am dieting to eliminate my stomach fat.
- MaríaEs normal, Daniel, a muchas personas les pasa.It is normal, Daniel, it happens to many people.
- Daniel¿Tú también intentas reducir la grasa abdominal?Are you also trying to reduce stomach fat?
- MaríaSí, yo también trato de cuidarme mucho.Yes, I also try to take great care of myself.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abdominal, grasa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
