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.

hombros

OHM-brohs

nounmA1

shoulders?The body part 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

💡 Grammar Points

Using Articles with Body Parts

In Spanish, when talking about pain or actions related to your own body, you use the definite article (like 'los') instead of the possessive word ('mis'). Say 'Me duelen los hombros' (My shoulders hurt), not 'Me duelen mis hombros'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the Singular

Mistake: "Me duele el hombro (when referring to both shoulders)."

Correction: Use the plural 'los hombros' when referring to the pair: 'Me duelen los hombros.' Remember that 'hombros' is the plural form.

⭐ Usage Tips

Visualizing the Action

The phrase 'encogerse de hombros' is one of the most common idiomatic uses. Visualize the action of shrugging to easily remember that it means 'I don't know' or 'I don't care'.

✏️ 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

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.