cuerno
“cuerno” means “horn” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
horn
Also: antler
📝 In Action
El rinoceronte tiene un cuerno muy largo.
A1The rhinoceros has a very long horn.
Este peine está hecho de cuerno de buey.
B1This comb is made of ox horn.
cheating
Also: betrayal
📝 In Action
Ella le puso los cuernos con un compañero de trabajo.
B2She cheated on him with a coworker.
the heck / hell
Also: get lost
📝 In Action
¡Vete al cuerno!
B1Go to hell! / Get lost!
Mandé todo al cuerno y renuncié.
B2I threw it all away (to the dogs) and quit.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cuerno
Question 1 of 2
If someone says 'Juan le puso los cuernos a María,' what happened?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'cornu,' which also meant horn or antler.
First recorded: 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'vete al cuerno' very offensive?
Not extremely. It's like saying 'go fly a kite' or 'get lost.' It's much milder than using profanity, but it still shows you are angry.
Why are 'horns' associated with cheating in Spanish?
This is an old tradition found in many Mediterranean cultures. There are many theories, but one suggests it comes from a medieval law where a cuckolded husband had to wear horns as a sign of his situation.