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barriga

bah-REE-gah/baˈriɣa/

“barriga” means “belly” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

belly, tummy

Also: stomach, potbelly
NounfA1
General
A high-quality storybook illustration of a friendly, round-bellied bear standing upright.

📝 In Action

Me duele la barriga después de comer tanto.

A1

My tummy hurts after eating so much.

El bebé tiene una barriga muy tierna.

A1

The baby has a very cute belly.

A Juan le está saliendo barriga porque no hace ejercicio.

B1

Juan is getting a potbelly because he doesn't exercise.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • panza (belly/tummy (more informal))
  • vientre (abdomen/belly (more formal/poetic))
  • estómago (stomach (the organ))

Common Collocations

  • dolor de barriga – stomach ache
  • tener barriga – to have a belly / to be out of shape

Idioms & Expressions

  • rascarse la barriga – To be lazy or do nothing while others work.

bulge

Also: swell
NounfB2
A high-quality storybook illustration of a round clay pot with a wide, bulging middle.

📝 In Action

La barriga de esta jarra de barro es muy ancha.

B2

The bulge of this clay jar is very wide.

La pared tiene una barriga y parece que se va a caer.

C1

The wall has a bulge and looks like it's going to fall.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • bulto (lump/bulge)
  • curvatura (curvature)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "barriga" in Spanish:

belly→bulge→potbelly→stomach→swell→tummy→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: barriga

Question 1 of 2

If someone is being lazy and not helping, which idiom would you use?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
barrigón(big-bellied person) — Noun
barrigudo(potbellied) — Adjective
embarrigar(to get someone pregnant (very slang/informal)) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
ligaamigahormiga
📚 Etymology▼

Likely of pre-Roman origin, shared with the word 'barril' (barrel) because of the similar rounded shape.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: barriga

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'barriga' rude to use?

Not at all. It is the standard, informal word for 'belly' or 'tummy'. However, if you are at the doctor, they might use 'abdomen' or 'estómago'.

What is the difference between 'barriga' and 'panza'?

They are very similar. 'Barriga' is standard and neutral, while 'panza' is a bit more informal or 'folksy'. In some countries, 'panza' can sound slightly more vulgar if used to describe a person's weight.