lágrima
/ˈlaɡɾima/feminine
The English word 'tear' (a drop of salty liquid from the eye) is translated into Spanish as lágrima.
lágrima refers to the physical drop of clear salty liquid that comes from the eyes. When you want to describe the act of shedding or crying a tear, it is common to use the phrase derramar una lágrima. Note that while the English word 'tear' can mean both a liquid drop and the act of ripping something, the Spanish noun lágrima is distinct from the verb used for ripping, which is desgarrar. If you are referring to a crack or a split, you would use a different word like rajadura.
Meaning: drop of clear salty liquid from the eyes (noun)
Which one should you use?
In English, 'tear' is a homograph for both a liquid drop and the act of ripping. In Spanish, these are entirely different words: lágrima is the liquid drop, while desgarrarse is the verb meaning to become torn or ripped.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
lágrima is a feminine noun. Its plural form is lágrimas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlaɡɾima/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the phrase llorar a moco tendido is a colorful, albeit blunt, way to describe someone crying uncontrollably with a runny nose.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, lágrima can refer to a small, hanging piece of fabric or a decorative drop on a garment.
- The word lágrima is a cognate of the English word 'lacrimal', which refers to the glands and ducts that produce tears.
Examples in context
- No derramó ni una lágrima.He didn't shed a tear.This sentence shows how to use lágrima in the context of not shedding one.Tatoeba #2266196 by cueyayotl, translation #2266195 by _undertoad
- Una lágrima rodaba en su mejilla.A tear rolled down her cheek.This sentence describes a single lágrima moving down a cheek.Tatoeba #1330755 by hayastan, translation #34686 by CM
- Ella intentó no derramar ni una lágrima.She tried not to shed a tear.This sentence illustrates the attempt to not shed a lágrima.Tatoeba #5144668 by albrusgher, translation #945531 by spockofvulcan
- Cuando miré esa película triste, una lágrima escapó de mis ojos.When I watched that sad movie, a tear escaped from my eyes.
- Cuidado, hiciste una rasgadura en el papel al abrir el sobre.Be careful, you made a tear in the paper while opening the envelope.
- Mi hermanito tiene un muñeco roto que necesita ser cosido.My little brother has a torn doll that needs to be sewn.
- Una lágrima solitariaA solitary tear
- Una lágrima de felicidadA tear of happiness
- Un papel rasgadoA torn paper
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía is crying while watching a sad movie at home.
- Daniel¿Estás bien, Lucía?Are you okay, Lucía?
- LucíaSí, es que es una película muy triste.Yes, it's just that it is a very sad movie.
- DanielSe te escapó una lágrima.A tear escaped from your eye.
- LucíaEs verdad, me emocioné mucho.That's true, I got very emotional.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tear” translations and entries lágrima, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
