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estómago

/es-TOH-mah-go/

stomach

A simplified cross-section illustration of the human digestive organ, the stomach, colored pink or red.

Visualizing estómago as the organ responsible for digestion.

estómago(noun)

mA1

stomach

?

The organ that digests food

Also:

belly

?

Informal reference to the abdominal area

📝 In Action

Me duele el estómago después de comer tanto.

A1

My stomach hurts after eating so much.

Necesitas algo ligero para el estómago.

A2

You need something light for your stomach.

Tengo el estómago vacío, ¡tengo mucha hambre!

A1

I have an empty stomach, I'm very hungry!

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • barriga (belly (informal))

Common Collocations

  • dolor de estómago – stomach ache
  • estómago sensible – sensitive stomach

💡 Grammar Points

Use of the Article

When talking about body parts in Spanish, you often use the definite article (el/la) instead of the possessive (mi/tu). Say 'Me duele el estómago' (My stomach hurts), not 'Me duele mi estómago'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Gender

Mistake: "Using 'la estómago' instead of 'el estómago'."

Correction: Since 'estómago' ends in -o, it is masculine. Always use 'el' before it.

⭐ Usage Tips

Expressing Hunger

A common way to say you're hungry is 'Tener hambre' (to have hunger), but you can also describe the feeling directly: 'Siento el estómago vacío' (I feel my stomach empty).

A small, cheerful storybook character standing firmly and calmly holding a large, dark, jagged rock, symbolizing emotional endurance.

Visualizing estómago when it means emotional tolerance or the capacity to withstand unpleasant things.

estómago(noun)

mB2

tolerance

?

Mental capacity to withstand something unpleasant

Also:

guts

?

Used figuratively for courage or nerve

📝 In Action

No tengo estómago para ver películas de terror.

B2

I don't have the stomach (or tolerance) to watch horror movies.

Se necesita mucho estómago para trabajar en esa profesión.

C1

It takes a lot of guts (or nerve/tolerance) to work in that profession.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • valor (courage)
  • aguante (endurance)

Idioms & Expressions

  • Tener estómago – To have the nerve or tolerance to do/see something unpleasant.

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'Tener'

This figurative meaning almost always pairs with the verb 'tener' (to have) in Spanish to express tolerance or lack thereof: 'No tengo estómago para...' (I don't have the stomach for...).

⭐ Usage Tips

Figurative Use

Think of this meaning as describing a mental barrier. If something is too gross, violent, or intense for you, you can say 'Me revuelve el estómago' (It turns my stomach).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: estómago

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'estómago' in its figurative sense (meaning tolerance or guts)?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

estomacal(stomach-related (adjective)) - adjective
digestión(digestion) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'estómago' ever mean 'belly' or the outside of the abdomen?

Yes, while 'estómago' technically refers to the internal organ, it is often used informally to refer to the general abdominal area, especially in phrases like 'Me duele el estómago.' However, the word 'barriga' is more common if you mean the outer belly area.

Is 'estómago' an irregular noun?

No. 'Estómago' is a completely regular noun. It is masculine (el estómago) and forms its plural by adding -s (los estómagos).