la figura
/la fiɡuɾa/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase "the figure" is translated as la figura.
la figura is used to describe a physical shape, a person's silhouette or an important person, such as a figure in history.
Which one should you use?
While la figura refers to a shape or an important person, use la cifra when you are specifically referring to a numerical figure or a statistical digit. If you want to be more precise when talking about the outline of a person, you can use la silueta instead of la figura.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term cifra is commonly used to refer to a numerical figure. In some Latin American countries, it is more common to use the term número to refer to a figure.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of la figura is las figuras.
How do you pronounce it?
/la fiɡuɾa/
Did you know?
- While la figura describes a shape, the word cifra used for numerical figures comes from the Arabic sifr, meaning 'empty' or 'zero'.
- The word figura can be used as a noun to describe a person who is a 'character' or an eccentric, such as saying someone is toda una figura.
- In Spanish music and dance, figura refers to a specific choreographed movement or pattern that a dancer must execute during a performance.
Examples in context
- Vi la figura de un hombre.I saw the figure of a man.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe the figure of a person using la figura.Tatoeba #1567191 by Espi, translation #259397 by CK
- La figura de la reina fue diseñada de forma unidimensional durante la mayor parte del tiempo de la historia. Solo al final consiguió algo de profundidad.The figure of the queen was designed one-dimensionally during most of the time in history. Only at the very end did it get some depth.This sentence shows how to describe the figure of a person in a historical or design context using la figura.Tatoeba #10535743 by carlosalberto, translation #10535733 by carlosalberto
- La cifra representa las ventas del último trimestre.The figure represents sales for the last quarter.
- La cifra representa el porcentaje de población urbana.The figure represents the percentage of urban population.
- La cifra representa una cantidad alta de ventas.The figure represents a high amount of sales.
- Dibujé la figura en el cuaderno.I drew the figure in the notebook.
Example conversation
María and Mateo are looking at a small statue.
- MaríaMira la figura de este artista.Look at the figure by this artist.
- MateoEs impresionante, me gusta mucho.It is impressive, I like it a lot.
- MaríaLa figura parece casi real.The figure looks almost real.
- MateoTienes razón, María.You are right, María.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
