torso
/ˈtoɾso/masculine
The English word "torso" can be translated into Spanish as torso. Wiktionary also lists tronco and troncón.
Meaning: body excluding the head and limbs (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| torso | /ˈtoɾso/ | masculine |
| tronco | /ˈtɾonko/ | masculine |
| troncón | /tɾonkon/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The word refers to the part of the body excluding the head and limbs. In the context of sculpture or fine arts, torso is the preferred term to describe a statue of a human body without a head or limbs.
Which one should you use?
While torso is used in anatomical or artistic contexts, tronco is the more common word for the human torso in general Spanish.
How does it change in a sentence?
All three forms, torso, tronco and troncón, are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtoɾso/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, tronco is used as a slang term to describe a person who is clumsy or lacks agility, similar to calling someone a 'block' of wood.
- The Spanish word torso actually has its roots in an ancient Greek word for a staff carried by followers of the god Bacchus. This means the word for a human body part is historically linked to a ceremonial stick.
- The word tronco can also refer to a wooden chest used to collect offerings or alms in a church, rather than a body part.
Examples in context
- Si le das cuerda a la muñeca con la llave en el lado de su torso, girará los brazos alrededor y se moverá hacia delante dando volteretas.If you wind up the doll with the key on the side of its torso it will swing its arms round and go forward doing somersaults.This sentence shows how to use torso when describing the mechanism of a doll.Tatoeba #5053401 by albrusgher, translation #504665 by blay_paul
- El médico examinó el torso del paciente en busca de signos de lesiones.The doctor examined the patient's torso for signs of injury.
- El torso humano consta de diferentes órganos y estructuras vitales.The human torso consists of different organs and vital structures.
- El atleta tiene un torso muy fuerte.The athlete has a very strong torso.
- Dibujé solo el torso en el cuaderno.I drew only the torso in the notebook.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are looking at an art student's work in a classroom.
- SofíaMira cómo ha dibujado el torso de la estatua.Look how he has drawn the torso of the statue.
- MateoEs verdad, tiene mucha fuerza en el torso.It's true, it has a lot of strength in the torso.
- SofíaMateo, ¿crees que le falta detalle?Mateo, do you think it lacks detail?
- MateoNo, Sofía, para mí está muy bien.No, Sofía, for me, it is very good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “torso” translations and entries torso, tronco, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries torso, tronco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
