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A simple, brightly colored storybook illustration of a pair of red-framed eyeglasses.

gafas

GAH-fas

NounfA1
glasses?eyeglasses, spectacles
Also:spectacles?formal term for eyeglasses,sunglasses?when specified as 'gafas de sol'

📝 In Action

Necesito mis gafas para leer el menú en el restaurante.

A1

I need my glasses to read the menu at the restaurant.

Se puso las gafas de sol antes de salir a la playa.

A2

She put on her sunglasses before going out to the beach.

¿Dónde has dejado tus gafas? Estaban aquí hace un momento.

A1

Where did you leave your glasses? They were here a moment ago.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • anteojos (glasses (common in Southern Cone LA))
  • lentes (glasses (common in Mexico/Central America))

Common Collocations

  • gafas de sol – sunglasses
  • gafas de leer – reading glasses
  • ponerse las gafas – to put on one's glasses

💡 Grammar Points

Always Plural

In Spanish, gafas is always used in the plural form (it ends in -s), even though it refers to one item (one pair of glasses). Treat it like 'scissors' or 'trousers' in English.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the Singular Form

Mistake: "Dame la gafa."

Correction: Always say 'Dame las gafas.' You need the plural article (las) and the plural noun ending (-s).

⭐ Usage Tips

Standard Term in Spain

If you are speaking Spanish from Spain, gafas is the standard, default word for all types of spectacles.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: gafas

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'gafas'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

gafotas(big/oversized glasses) - noun
gafete(badge/clip (related to the hook shape)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'gafas' always plural if I only have one pair?

Like 'pantalones' (trousers) or 'tijeras' (scissors), 'gafas' refers to an object made of two symmetrical parts (the two lenses). Spanish inherited this plural structure from older languages for objects that are pairs.

Can I use 'gafas' for contact lenses?

No. *Gafas* specifically refers to eyeglasses worn on the face. For contact lenses, you must use *lentes de contacto* or *lentillas*.