el labio
El labio means the lip, the soft edge around your mouth. It often comes up with dryness, cuts, or balm.
Common Phrases
- tener los labios secos — to have dry lips
- ponerse bálsamo labial — to put on lip balm
Example
Se me secó el labio y usé un bálsamo.
My lip got dry and I used a balm.
Common Mistake
Do not drop the article: say el labio, not labio when you mean a specific lip in a sentence.
la espalda
La espalda means the back. It is common when talking about soreness from posture or carrying weight.
Common Phrases
- dolor de espalda — back pain
- tener la espalda tensa — to have a tense back
Example
Me duele la espalda hoy.
My back hurts today.
Common Mistake
Use the correct gender: la espalda, not el espalda.
la oreja
La oreja is the outer ear you can touch. It appears with itching, earrings, and headphones.
Common Phrases
- tener la oreja roja — to have a red ear
- picor en la oreja — itching in the ear
Example
Me pica la oreja con estos auriculares.
My ear itches with these headphones.
Common Mistake
Do not confuse it with oído (hearing/inner ear). For the visible ear, use la oreja.
la mano
La mano means the hand. It comes up with writing, lifting, and small injuries.
Common Phrases
- lavarse las manos — to wash your hands
- doler la mano — for the hand to hurt
Example
Me duele la mano después de escribir.
My hand hurts after writing.
Common Mistake
Remember it is feminine: la mano, not el mano.
la barriga
La barriga means the belly (casual, everyday). People use it for stomach discomfort or feeling full.
Common Phrases
- dolor de barriga — stomachache
- tener la barriga llena — to have a full belly
Example
Me duele la barriga un poco.
My belly hurts a little.
Common Mistake
Do not overuse estómago if you mean the general belly area; la barriga sounds more casual and human in daily talk.
el dedo
El dedo means the finger (or toe if context makes it clear). It often appears with cuts, nails, and bandages.
Common Phrases
- cortarse el dedo — to cut your finger
- ponerse una venda — to put on a bandage
Example
Me corté el dedo y me puse una venda.
I cut my finger and put on a bandage.
Common Mistake
If you mean a finger, do not say la dedo; use el dedo.
la nariz
La nariz means the nose. It is common with cold weather, allergies, and sniffles.
Common Phrases
- tener la nariz tapada — to have a blocked nose
- sonarse la nariz — to blow your nose
Example
Con el frío, se me puso roja la nariz.
In the cold, my nose turned red.
Common Mistake
Do not use naríz with an accent; the correct spelling is nariz.
el pecho
El pecho means the chest. It is used for breathing, tightness, or feeling lighter after a deep breath.
Common Phrases
- respirar hondo — to take a deep breath
- dolor en el pecho — chest pain
Example
Respiro hondo y siento el pecho más ligero.
I take a deep breath and my chest feels lighter.
Common Mistake
Use el pecho for chest; do not translate literally as la caja or other word-for-word choices.