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brazo

BRAH-soh/ˈbɾaθo/

arm

Also: sleeve
NounmA1
Mexico
A simple illustration of a bare, slightly bent human arm extending from the shoulder, emphasizing the limb.

📝 In Action

Me duele el brazo después de cargar las cajas.

A1

My arm hurts after carrying the boxes.

Ella cruzó los brazos cuando se enojó.

A1

She crossed her arms when she got angry.

Mi bebé solo quiere estar en mis brazos.

A2

My baby only wants to be in my arms.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • extremidad superior (upper limb)

Common Collocations

  • abrir los brazos – to open one's arms
  • dar un abrazo – to give a hug

Idioms & Expressions

  • dar su brazo a torcer – to give in; to yield (to twist one's arm)

branch, arm

Also: section
NounmB1
An overhead illustration showing a wide blue river dividing cleanly into two smaller branches or streams.

📝 In Action

Este brazo del río es muy profundo.

B1

This branch of the river is very deep.

El robot tiene un brazo mecánico para levantar objetos pesados.

B2

The robot has a mechanical arm for lifting heavy objects.

El arquitecto diseñó un nuevo brazo para el edificio principal.

C1

The architect designed a new wing (or section) for the main building.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • rama (branch (tree/general))
  • sección (section)

influence, manpower

Also: support
NounmB2formal
A storybook illustration showing a massive, stylized hand hovering protectively above a tiny, brightly colored village nestled in a valley, representing authority or influence.

📝 In Action

Necesitamos más brazos para terminar la cosecha antes de la lluvia.

B2

We need more hands (manpower) to finish the harvest before the rain.

La policía representa el brazo de la ley en la ciudad.

C1

The police represent the arm (power/force) of the law in the city.

Ella es mi brazo derecho en la oficina.

B2

She is my right-hand man/woman in the office.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Idioms & Expressions

  • ser el brazo derecho – to be the right-hand person (trusted assistant)
  • el brazo fuerte – the strong arm (the person or group that enforces rules or authority)

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: brazo

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'brazo' in its figurative meaning of 'power or influence'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
abrazar(to hug/to embrace) — Verb
brazalete(bracelet/armband) — Noun
brazada(armful/stroke (swimming)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Latin term *bracchium*, which was the general word for 'arm.' It has been a standard part of Spanish since the early days of the language.

First recorded: 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: braccioFrench: brasPortuguese: braço

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Frequently Asked Questions

If 'brazo' means 'arm,' how is it related to 'abrazar' (to hug)?

'Abrazar' literally means 'to put one's arms around someone.' The root 'brazo' is central to the verb, emphasizing the physical act of using your arms to embrace someone.

How do I know when to use 'brazo' versus 'mano'?

'Brazo' is the full arm, from the shoulder down to the wrist. 'Mano' is only the hand. If you are doing something with your fingers or palm, use 'mano.' If you're talking about carrying or lifting, you often use 'brazo'.