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casco

kás-koh/ˈkasko/

helmet

Also: hard hat, headset
NounmA2
Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic
A bright red protective hard hat helmet resting on a plain surface.

📝 In Action

Siempre usa el casco cuando vas en bicicleta.

A2

Always wear your helmet when you go cycling.

El trabajador de la obra llevaba un casco amarillo.

B1

The construction worker was wearing a yellow hard hat.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • yelmo (helmet (archaic/historical))
  • protector (protector)

Common Collocations

  • casco de moto – motorcycle helmet
  • casco de seguridad – safety helmet

hull

Also: fuselage
NounmB1
The large, curved, blue wooden hull of a simplified sailing ship floating in calm blue water.

📝 In Action

El casco del barco necesita reparación después de la tormenta.

B2

The ship's hull needs repair after the storm.

Pintaron el casco del yate de color azul brillante.

B1

They painted the yacht's hull a bright blue color.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • casco de madera – wooden hull

old quarter

Also: city center
NounmB1
A narrow cobblestone street flanked by colorful, historic stone buildings in an old city center.

📝 In Action

Vamos a cenar en un restaurante del casco antiguo.

B1

We are going to have dinner at a restaurant in the old quarter.

El ayuntamiento está situado en el casco urbano.

B2

The city hall is located in the urban core/city center.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • centro (center)
  • zona histórica (historic area)

Common Collocations

  • casco antiguo – old quarter
  • casco urbano – urban center

hoof

Also: bottle (empty)
NounmB2neutral/technical
Spain
A close-up view of a horse's dark hoof resting firmly on green grass.

📝 In Action

El veterinario examinó el casco del caballo para ver si tenía una lesión.

B2

The veterinarian examined the horse's hoof to see if it had an injury.

Tienes que devolver los cascos vacíos para que te den el depósito.

C1

You have to return the empty bottles to get your deposit back. (Spain usage)

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • pezuña (hoof/claw)
  • botella (bottle (for the regional meaning))

Common Collocations

  • herrar el casco – to shoe the hoof

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: casco

Question 1 of 2

Which meaning of 'casco' is being used in the sentence: 'El casco antiguo de Toledo es Patrimonio Mundial.'

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
cáscara(shell, peel) — Noun
encascarar(to cover with a shell) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word 'casco' likely comes from an ancient root meaning 'piece' or 'fragment,' possibly linked to the Latin word for 'cup' or 'bowl.' This explains why it refers to protective coverings (like a helmet or hull) or containers (like a bottle or a hoof).

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: cascoFrench: casque

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Frequently Asked Questions

¿Es 'casco' solo para la cabeza?

No. Aunque el significado más común es 'helmet' (para la cabeza), 'casco' también se usa para la parte principal de un barco (hull), la pata de un caballo (hoof) o el centro de una ciudad (old quarter). Siempre se refiere a una estructura protectora o principal.

How do I know if 'casco' means 'helmet' or 'headphones'?

If it's plural ('los cascos') and you are in a casual setting, especially in Spain or the Caribbean, it often means 'headphones' or 'earbuds.' If it's singular and you are discussing safety or sports, it means 'helmet.'