Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| grueso | /ˈɡɾweso/ |
| espeso | /esˈpeso/ |
| colipavo | /kolipabo/ (from spelling rules) |
In Spanish, the word you choose for thick depends entirely on whether you are describing a physical dimension or the consistency of a substance.
Which one should you use?
Use grueso to describe the physical thickness or width of solid objects, such as books, walls or slices of bread. Use espeso to describe the viscosity or density of liquids or gases, such as thick soup, thick fog or thick sauce. The term colipavo is also provided in the dictionary, but it is not used for the meaning of thickness.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both adjectives must agree with the gender of the noun they describe. grueso changes to gruesa for feminine nouns, such as una capa gruesa (a thick layer). Similarly, espeso changes to espesa for feminine nouns, such as una sopa espesa (a thick soup).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɡɾweso/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using espeso to describe the width or physical dimension of an object. Instead, use grueso for physical dimensions and reserve espeso for density or viscosity.
Did you know?
- If a person is described as cabezón, it means they have a 'thick' or large head, but it can also be used to call someone stubborn.
- When describing a thick accent, Spanish speakers do not use grueso or espeso, but instead use the word marcado, which means 'marked'.
- When describing a person who is 'thick-skinned' or insensitive, Spanish speakers would not use a translation of 'thick', but would use different idiomatic expressions entirely.
Examples in context
- El libro es grueso.The book is thick.This sentence shows how to use grueso for a solid object.Tatoeba #10558229 by Seael, translation #10060003 by ddnktr
- Los muros son gruesos.The walls are thick.This sentence shows the plural form of grueso used for objects.Tatoeba #13869741 by Seael, translation #9201725 by CK
- El bosque es muy espeso.The forest is very thick.This sentence demonstrates the use of espeso to describe the density of a forest.Tatoeba #1386557 by marcelostockle, translation #682174 by Source_VOA
- Es necesario evaluar el grosor del material antes de tomar una decisión.It is necessary to evaluate the thickness of the material before making a decision.
- La capa de pintura es muy gruesa.The layer of paint is very thick.
- El tronco del árbol es gordo y resistente.The tree trunk is thick and sturdy.
- El espesor del hielo en el lago es increíble.The thickness of the ice on the lake is incredible.
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are looking at a piece of fabric in a store.
- AlejandroEste tejido es muy grueso.This fabric is very thick.
- MaríaSí, es perfecto para el invierno.Yes, it is perfect for winter.
- AlejandroPero es un poco pesado.But it is a bit heavy.
- MaríaEs cierto, busca algo más ligero.That is true, look for something lighter.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thick” translations and entries grueso, espeso, 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
