casco

/kás-koh/

helmet

A protective helmet, or 'casco', is essential safety gear.

casco(noun)

mA2

helmet

protective headgear

Also:

hard hat

construction safety

headset

earphones (regional)

📝 In Action

Siempre usa el casco cuando vas en bicicleta.

Always wear your helmet when you go cycling.

El trabajador de la obra llevaba un casco amarillo.

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

⭐ Usage Tips

Easy to Remember

Think of 'casco' as the outer protective covering for the head, just like the Spanish word for 'case' or 'shell' (cáscara).

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

The main body of a ship is called the hull, or 'casco'.

casco(noun)

mB1

hull

main body of a ship

Also:

fuselage

main body of an airplane (less common)

📝 In Action

El casco del barco necesita reparación después de la tormenta.

The ship's hull needs repair after the storm.

Pintaron el casco del yate de color azul brillante.

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

Word Connections

Synonyms

estructura (structure)
armazón (frame)

Common Collocations

casco de madera – wooden hull

⭐ Usage Tips

Context Clues

If you hear 'casco' mentioned with words like 'barco' (ship), 'navegar' (to sail), or 'puerto' (port), it almost certainly refers to the hull.

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

The historic city center, known as the 'casco antiguo' (old quarter), features traditional architecture.

casco(noun)

mB1

old quarter

historic center of a city

Also:

city center

urban core

📝 In Action

Vamos a cenar en un restaurante del casco antiguo.

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

El ayuntamiento está situado en el casco urbano.

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

💡 Grammar Points

Fixed Phrase

When referring to the center of a city, 'casco' is almost always paired with the adjectives 'antiguo' (old/historic) or 'urbano' (urban).

A close-up view of a horse's dark hoof resting firmly on green grass.

The hard part of a horse's foot is its hoof, or 'casco'.

casco(noun)

mB2

hoof

of a horse or similar animal

Also:

bottle (empty)

container, especially in Spain (regional/informal)

📝 In Action

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

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.

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

✏️ 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

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.'