codo
/KOH-doh/
elbow
In anatomy, 'codo' refers to the elbow joint of a person.
📝 In Action
Me duele el codo después de jugar al tenis.
A1My elbow hurts after playing tennis.
Apoyó los codos en la mesa mientras comía.
A2He rested his elbows on the table while eating.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'el' with body parts
In Spanish, we use 'the' (el/la) instead of 'my' or 'your' when talking about body parts. Say 'me duele el codo' (the elbow hurts me) rather than 'mi codo'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Codo vs. Cubito
Mistake: "Using 'cubito' for the joint."
Correction: Use 'codo' for the joint itself. 'Cúbito' is the technical name for one of the bones in the forearm.
⭐ Usage Tips
Talking a lot
If someone won't stop talking, the most natural way to describe them is 'habla por los codos'.
In plumbing, a 'codo' is an elbow joint used to connect pipes at an angle.
📝 In Action
Necesitamos un codo de noventa grados para arreglar la tubería.
B1We need a ninety-degree elbow joint to fix the pipe.
⭐ Usage Tips
Hardware Store Tip
If you are at a hardware store looking for an L-shaped pipe connector, just ask for 'un codo'.
As an adjective, 'codo' is a slang term for someone who is stingy or reluctant to spend money.
codo(adjective)
stingy
?someone who doesn't like to spend money
cheap
?unwilling to pay for things
📝 In Action
No quiso dejar propina, ¡es bien codo!
B2He didn't want to leave a tip, he's so stingy!
Ella nunca invita a nada porque es una coda.
B2She never treats anyone to anything because she is cheap.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender change
Unlike the body part, when 'codo' is an adjective, it changes to 'coda' if you are describing a woman.
⭐ Usage Tips
Body language
In many cultures where 'codo' means stingy, people often tap their elbow with their hand to visually signal that someone is cheap.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: codo
Question 1 of 2
What does the idiom 'hablar por los codos' mean?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'codo' always mean elbow?
Not always! While its primary meaning is the body part, it also refers to L-shaped joints in plumbing and is used as slang for 'stingy' in many Spanish-speaking countries.
Is 'codo' offensive when used to mean stingy?
It is informal and slightly mocking, but generally not considered a vulgar swear word. It's more of a teasing or descriptive term for someone's personality.