frenillos
/fɾeniʝos/from spelling rules
The English phrase "teeth braces" is frenillos in Spanish.
The term refers to a dental appliance used to straighten crooked teeth.
What does it mean word for word?
The word frenillos is the diminutive form of frenos, which means "little brakes".
Is it said differently in some regions?
frenillos is the term commonly used in many Latin American countries, such as Mexico, Argentina and Colombia.
How does it change in a sentence?
frenillos is a masculine noun and is almost always used in its plural form to refer to the dental appliance.
How do you pronounce it?
/fɾeniʝos/
Did you know?
- If you ask a dentist for frenillos, they might first look at your mouth for a 'frenulum' instead of braces. This is because frenillo is the technical name for the small fold of tissue under your tongue or inside your lip.
- The word frenos (the root of frenillos) is the exact same word used for the brakes on a car or a bicycle.
- In Spain, people rarely use frenillos and instead use the word brackets, borrowed directly from English.
Examples in context
- Mi dentista me recomendó usar aparatos dentales para corregir mi mordida.My dentist recommended me to use teeth braces to correct my bite.
- Estoy considerando comenzar un tratamiento de ortodoncia para mejorar la alineación de mis dientes.I am considering starting orthodontic treatment to improve the alignment of my teeth.
- Mi hermano menor tiene frenillos y está emocionado de tener una sonrisa recta en unos pocos meses.My younger brother has braces and he's excited about having a straight smile in a few months.
- Me van a colocar brackets para corregir mis dientes torcidos y lucir una sonrisa perfecta.They're going to put braces on me to correct my crooked teeth and have a perfect smile.
- Los frenillos son un poco incómodos.Braces are a bit uncomfortable.
- Ella tiene que usar frenillos ahora.She has to wear braces now.
- ¿Cuánto cuestan los frenillos?How much do braces cost?
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are talking about dental appointments.
- Daniel¿Tienes que ir al dentista hoy?Do you have to go to the dentist today?
- LucíaSí, me tienen que ajustar los frenillos.Yes, they have to adjust my braces.
- DanielEspero que no te duelan mucho.I hope they don't hurt you much.
- LucíaGracias, Daniel, espero que no.Thanks, Daniel, I hope not.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry frenillos, 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.
