cuadros
/KWAH-dros/
paintings
In art, 'cuadros' refers to paintings, often displayed on a wall.
cuadros(noun)
paintings
?art on a wall
,pictures
?general images, especially framed
artwork
?pieces of art
📝 In Action
Compramos unos cuadros muy bonitos para decorar la sala.
A1We bought some very beautiful paintings to decorate the living room.
El museo exhibe cuadros del siglo dieciocho.
A2The museum exhibits pictures from the eighteenth century.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Plural
Remember that 'cuadros' is the plural of 'el cuadro,' so it is always masculine and requires masculine articles ('los') and adjectives ('bonitos').
⭐ Usage Tips
Picture vs. Photo
While 'cuadros' can mean 'pictures,' it usually implies something larger, framed, or painted. For a small photo, use 'fotos' or 'fotografías'.
As a geometric shape, 'cuadros' means squares.
📝 In Action
Me gusta la camisa a cuadros rojos y negros.
A2I like the red and black plaid shirt.
Dibujamos varios cuadros pequeños en la hoja de papel.
A2We drew several small squares on the sheet of paper.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'A cuadros'
When describing a pattern, you often use the preposition 'a' before 'cuadros': 'una bufanda a cuadros' (a plaid scarf).
⭐ Usage Tips
Visualizing the Shape
The core meaning of 'cuadro' is 'square' or 'frame,' which helps you remember both the geometric shape and the frame around a painting.
When discussing an organization, 'cuadros' can refer to the core staff or key personnel.
cuadros(noun)
staff
?key personnel or management team
,symptoms
?medical context (often used as 'el cuadro clínico')
squad
?sports team or military unit
📝 In Action
Los cuadros directivos de la empresa se reunieron ayer.
B2The management staff (or executive personnel) of the company met yesterday.
Los doctores están analizando los cuadros del paciente.
C1The doctors are analyzing the patient's symptoms (or clinical picture).
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
In this context, 'cuadros' means the complete 'picture' or 'framework' of a situation, whether it's the structure of a staff or the full set of medical signs.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
If you hear 'cuadros' in a professional setting, it almost always refers to the people in charge or the structure of the organization, not physical pictures.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cuadros
Question 1 of 2
Which meaning of 'cuadros' is used in the sentence: 'Siempre lleva pantalones a cuadros.'
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cuadros' the same as 'pinturas'?
They are very similar, but not exactly the same. 'Pinturas' specifically means 'paintings' (things made with paint). 'Cuadros' is broader; it means 'pictures' or 'framed images' and can include paintings, drawings, or even graphs, though it's most often used for art.
I heard someone say 'cuadros' to describe a disease. Why?
In medical Spanish, 'el cuadro clínico' (the clinical picture) is a common phrase. When used in the plural, 'los cuadros' refers to the set of symptoms or the overall medical situation that a patient is experiencing.