Inklingo
← Dictionary

espina

ess-PEE-nah/esˈpina/

thorn

Also: prickle, splinter
NounfA2
A close-up of a single sharp thorn on a green rose stem.

📝 In Action

Ten cuidado, esa rosa tiene muchas espinas.

A1

Be careful, that rose has many thorns.

Se me clavó una espina en el dedo mientras trabajaba en el jardín.

A2

A thorn got stuck in my finger while I was working in the garden.

El cactus está cubierto de espinas largas.

B1

The cactus is covered in long prickles.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • pincho (spike/prickle)
  • aguijón (stinger)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • clavar una espina – to prick with a thorn
  • quitar una espina – to remove a thorn

Idioms & Expressions

  • No hay rosa sin espinas – Nothing is perfect; every good thing has a difficult side.

bone

Also: fishbone
NounfA2
A clean, white fish skeleton showing the spine and ribs on a blue plate.

📝 In Action

Este filete de pescado no tiene espinas.

A2

This fish fillet has no bones.

Cuidado al comer, que el salmón tiene una espina pequeña.

B1

Careful while eating, the salmon has a small bone.

Tengo una espina clavada en la garganta.

B2

I have a fishbone stuck in my throat.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • raspado (fish skeleton (informal))

Common Collocations

  • espina de pescado – fish bone
  • quitar las espinas – to debone a fish

Idioms & Expressions

  • quitarse una espina – To finally do something you've wanted to do for a long time, or to get closure on a past failure.

bad feeling

Also: doubt, spine
NounfB2informal
A person looking over their shoulder with a worried expression and a dark cloud above their head.

📝 In Action

Ese hombre me da mala espina.

B1

That man gives me a bad feeling / I don't trust him.

Tengo la espina de que algo va a salir mal.

B2

I have a nagging feeling that something is going to go wrong.

La espina dorsal protege la médula espinal.

C1

The spine protects the spinal cord.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • espina dorsal – spine / backbone
  • dar mala espina – to give a bad vibe/feeling

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: espina

Question 1 of 3

If you are eating trout and find a small bone, what do you call it?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
espinoso(thorny/prickly) — Adjective
espinilla(shin or pimple) — Noun
desespinar(to remove thorns or bones) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'spina', which refers to a thorn, a prickle, or the backbone of an animal.

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: spineFrench: épineItalian: spina

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'espina' for a splinter from a wooden door?

Usually, no. For wood fragments from objects, use 'astilla'. 'Espina' is for nature (plants) or fish.

Is 'espina' related to 'espinilla' (pimple)?

Yes! An 'espinilla' (pimple/blackhead) is literally a 'little thorn' because of how it feels or looks on the skin.

What is the difference between 'espina' and 'púa'?

'Espina' is biological (thorns, fish bones). 'Púa' is usually man-made, like the teeth of a comb or the needle on a record player, though it can also be used for a hedgehog's quills.