expresión
“expresión” means “expression” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
expression
Also: statement, utterance
📝 In Action
La libertad de expresión es fundamental en una democracia.
A2Freedom of expression is fundamental in a democracy.
Necesito encontrar una expresión para describir este sentimiento.
A1I need to find a way to express this feeling.
El arte es una poderosa expresión cultural.
B1Art is a powerful cultural expression.
phrase
Also: term, formula
📝 In Action
Esa expresión es muy común en Argentina, pero no en España.
A2That phrase is very common in Argentina, but not in Spain.
No entiendo la expresión matemática en la pizarra.
B2I don't understand the mathematical formula on the board.
facial expression
Also: look
📝 In Action
Su expresión de miedo era inconfundible.
B1Her expression of fear was unmistakable.
Tenía una expresión seria cuando me dio la noticia.
A2He had a serious look when he gave me the news.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "expresión" in Spanish:
utterance→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: expresión
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'expresión' to mean 'a specific phrase or saying'?
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👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin 'expressiōnem,' which is the noun form of the verb 'exprimere.' The root 'ex-' means 'out' and 'primere' means 'to press' or 'to squeeze.' So, literally, 'expresión' means 'the act of pressing your thoughts or feelings out' into the open.
First recorded: Around the 13th century in Spanish
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is 'expresión' different from 'frase'?
While both can mean 'phrase,' 'expresión' is often used for something that conveys a strong feeling, a common saying, or an idiom ('expresión idiomática'). 'Frase' is a more general term for any grammatical sentence or sequence of words.
Why is 'expresión' feminine if it doesn't refer to a woman?
Spanish assigns grammatical gender to all nouns. Most nouns that end in the suffix -ión (like nación, canción, situación) are feminine, regardless of what they mean. This is a very helpful pattern to remember!