hombros

OHM-brohs/ˈombɾos/

“hombros” means “shoulders” in Spanish (The body part connecting the arm to the torso.).

shoulders

NounmA1

A simple storybook illustration of a person's upper body, viewed from the side, clearly showing the rounded shoulder connecting the arm to the torso.

📝 In Action

Ella tiene los hombros anchos y fuertes.

She has wide and strong shoulders.

Me puse la mochila sobre los hombros antes de empezar la caminata.

I put the backpack over my shoulders before starting the hike.

Cuando estoy triste, mi amigo siempre me ofrece su hombro para llorar.

When I am sad, my friend always offers his shoulder for me to cry on.

Word Connections

Synonyms

espaldas (back (upper part))

Common Collocations

dolor de hombros – shoulder pain
mover los hombros – to move one's shoulders

Idioms & Expressions

encogerse de hombros – to show indifference, to shrug
cargar sobre sus hombros – to carry a burden or responsibility

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "hombros" in Spanish:

shoulders→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: hombros

Question 1 of 2

Which phrase correctly describes the action of shrugging?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

hombro(shoulder (singular)) — Noun

hombrito(little shoulder (diminutive)) — Noun

🎵 Rhymes▼

escombrosasombros

📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Latin word *umerus* (or *humerus*), which also meant 'shoulder.' The initial 'h' in Spanish is silent, but it was added long ago to reflect the original Latin spelling.

First recorded: Around the 13th century in its current form.

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: omeroFrench: épaule

💡 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

Why does 'hombros' start with an 'h' if it's silent?

The 'h' is a remnant of the word's Latin root (*humerus*). While the sound was lost over time in Spanish, the letter is kept for historical spelling reasons. You should never pronounce the 'h' in 'hombros'.

Can 'hombros' be used figuratively in the same way 'shoulders' is in English (e.g., 'shoulders of giants')?

Yes, absolutely. The figurative meaning of carrying responsibility ('cargar sobre sus hombros') or standing on the work of predecessors is common and mirrors the English usage.