Inklingo
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brazo

/BRAH-soh/

arm

A simple illustration of a bare, slightly bent human arm extending from the shoulder, emphasizing the limb.

Brazo means 'arm', the main upper limb of the human body.

brazo(noun)

mA1

arm

?

The main limb of the human body.

Also:

sleeve

?

The part of a garment that covers the arm (less common, often 'manga').

📝 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)

💡 Grammar Points

Use with Articles

When talking about your own body parts, Spanish usually uses 'el/la/los/las' instead of 'mi/tu' (my/your). Example: 'Me duele el brazo' (My arm hurts).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Brazo and Mano

Mistake: "Using 'brazo' when referring specifically to the hand."

Correction: 'Brazo' is the entire limb from shoulder to wrist; 'mano' is the hand.

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

Brazo can mean 'branch,' often used when referring to a fork in a river or an organizational division.

brazo(noun)

mB1

branch

?

e.g., of a river, a corporation, or a group

,

arm

?

e.g., of a chair, a crane, or a machine

Also:

section

?

of a building or organization

📝 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)

⭐ Usage Tips

Visualizing the Connection

Think of this meaning as anything that sticks out from a main body, just like your arm sticks out from your torso. This helps link the body meaning to the object meaning.

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 figurative language, brazo can represent 'influence' or authority.

brazo(noun)

mB2

influence

?

Power or authority

,

manpower

?

Labor/workforce (often in plural)

Also:

support

?

Helping hand or aid

📝 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

  • influencia (influence)
  • ayuda (help/aid)

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)

⭐ Usage Tips

Manpower vs. Physical Arms

When 'brazos' is used to mean 'manpower,' it usually refers to manual labor or workers, implying strength and effort.

✏️ 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

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'.