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dorsal

dor-SAHL/doɾˈsal/

“dorsal” means “bib number” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

bib number

Also: jersey number
NounmA2
A close-up of a runner's shirt with a large identification number pinned to the front.

📝 In Action

Llevo el dorsal número quinientos en la maratón.

A2

I am wearing bib number five hundred in the marathon.

El jugador con el dorsal diez marcó el gol.

A2

The player with the number ten jersey scored the goal.

Tienes que recoger tu dorsal antes de que empiece la carrera.

B1

You have to pick up your bib number before the race starts.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • llevar el dorsal – to wear the bib/number
  • recoger el dorsal – to pick up the bib
  • dorsal de competición – competition bib

dorsal

Also: back
Adjectivem or fB1
A side view of a blue dolphin jumping out of the water, highlighting the fin on its back.

📝 In Action

El tiburón tiene una aleta dorsal muy grande.

B1

The shark has a very large dorsal fin.

Siento un dolor en la zona dorsal de la espalda.

B2

I feel a pain in the dorsal area of my back.

La columna dorsal es fundamental para la postura.

C1

The mid-back spine is essential for posture.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • ventral (front/belly-side)

Common Collocations

  • aleta dorsal – dorsal fin
  • columna dorsal – thoracic spine (mid-back)
  • vértebra dorsal – back vertebra

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "dorsal" in Spanish:

back→bib number→dorsal→jersey number→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: dorsal

Question 1 of 3

If you are running a race and need to pin a number to your shirt, what is that number called?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
dorso(back/reverse side) — Noun
dorsalgia(back pain) — Noun
endosar(to endorse (write on the back)) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'dorsum', which simply means 'back'. It shares roots with many English medical and anatomical terms.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: dorsalEnglish: dorsalItalian: dorsale

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'dorsal' only used in medicine?

No! While it is a medical term, its most common everyday use in Spain and Latin America is in sports to refer to the number on an athlete's jersey or bib.

What is the plural of 'dorsal'?

The plural is 'dorsales'. Just add '-es' since the word ends in a consonant.

Can I use 'dorsal' to mean the back of a book?

Not usually. For the back of a book, 'dorso' or 'contraportada' is more common, though 'lomo' is used for the spine of the book.