coco

KOH-koh

nounmA1

coconut?The tropical fruit

Also:head?Informal: the human head or brain,knock?A gentle tap or blow on the head

📝 In Action

Quiero beber agua de coco, está muy refrescante.

I want to drink coconut water, it is very refreshing.

¡Ten cuidado! Te vas a dar un golpe en el coco.

Be careful! You're going to hit your head.

Mi abuelo tiene un coco increíble para las matemáticas.

My grandfather has an incredible brain/knack for math.

Word Connections

Synonyms

cabeza (head)
cráneo (skull)

Common Collocations

agua de coco – coconut water
leche de coco – coconut milk

Idioms & Expressions

estar como un coco – to be crazy/mad (like a coconut, implying a hollow or hard head)
romperse el coco – to rack one's brain/think very hard

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun Rule

Even though 'coco' ends in -o, which usually signals a masculine noun, remember that it is always used with the masculine article: 'el coco' (the coconut/head).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'Head' Meanings

Mistake: "Using 'coco' in formal situations when you mean 'cabeza'."

Correction: Use 'coco' only in informal talk when referring to the head or intellect. 'Cabeza' is the standard, neutral word for the body part.

⭐ Usage Tips

Use for Intellect

You can use 'tener coco' (to have coconut) to mean someone is smart or has a natural talent for something, like 'Ella tiene coco para los idiomas' (She has a knack for languages).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: coco

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'coco' to mean 'head' or 'brain'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

cocotero(coconut tree) - noun

cabeza(head (standard)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'coco' a rude or vulgar word for 'head'?

No, 'coco' is not rude, but it is very informal. Think of it like saying 'noggin' or 'brain' instead of 'head.' It’s perfectly acceptable in casual conversations among friends or family.

How do I know if 'coco' means coconut or bogeyman?

Context is everything! If you are talking about food, drink, or trees, it means 'coconut.' If you are talking about fear, children, or going to sleep, it means 'bogeyman.'