el retrato

the portrait

Example Sentence

El retrato muestra una sonrisa pequena y timida.

The portrait shows a small, shy smile.

Meaning

El retrato is a portrait: an artwork showing a person (or sometimes an animal) as the main subject. It can be painted, photographed, or sculpted, but in museums it often refers to a painted portrait.

Common Phrases

  • un retrato de familia — a family portrait
  • un retrato al oleo — an oil portrait (oil painting portrait)

Example

El retrato parece serio, pero la mirada es dulce.

The portrait seems serious, but the gaze is gentle.

Common Mistake

Mixing it with la retrata (incorrect). The correct noun is el retrato.