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huevo

/OO-EH-voh/

egg

A single, perfect white chicken egg resting on a plain neutral surface.

Huevo, meaning 'egg,' often refers to this common food item.

huevo(noun)

mA1

egg

?

food or biology

Also:

ovum

?

biological context

📝 In Action

Quiero un huevo frito con tostadas para el desayuno.

A1

I want a fried egg with toast for breakfast.

La gallina puso un huevo esta mañana.

A2

The hen laid an egg this morning.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • huevo duro – hard-boiled egg
  • huevo revuelto – scrambled egg
  • clara de huevo – egg white

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun

Even though 'huevo' is an egg, it is always a masculine noun, so you must use 'el' or 'un' (el huevo, un huevo).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Ova'

Mistake: "No digas 'una ova' para referirte a un huevo de gallina."

Correction: Use 'huevo' for the edible item. 'Ova' refers to fish eggs or roe, which is much less common.

⭐ Usage Tips

Cooking Terms

If ordering eggs, remember 'frito' is fried, 'revuelto' is scrambled, and 'duro' is hard-boiled.

A tiny, determined mouse standing confidently on the edge of a large, steep wooden step, illustrating bravery.

In slang, huevo can mean 'courage' or 'guts,' representing determination and bravery.

huevo(noun)

mB2

courage

?

having guts or bravery

,

effort

?

dedication or hard work (especially Mexico/Spain)

Also:

guts

?

informal bravery

,

nerve

?

boldness

📝 In Action

Tienes que echarle más huevos a este proyecto si quieres terminarlo a tiempo.

B2

You have to put more effort/guts into this project if you want to finish it on time.

Se necesita mucho huevo para decirle la verdad a tu jefe.

C1

It takes a lot of guts to tell your boss the truth.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • valor (courage)
  • valentía (bravery)

Idioms & Expressions

  • ¡A huevo! – Of course! / Absolutely! / By force!
  • Ponerle huevos – To put effort into something; to try hard.

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'Echarle'

The phrase 'echarle huevos' (to put guts into it) means to apply intense effort or dedication. It's often used reflexively or with 'le' referring to the task.

⭐ Usage Tips

Informal Warning

This meaning is highly informal and slightly vulgar, derived from the slang anatomical meaning. Use it only in casual settings with friends.

Two perfectly smooth, light pink ovoid anatomical shapes floating side-by-side.

When used in anatomical slang, huevo (often pluralized as huevos) refers to a 'testicle.'

huevo(noun)

mC1

testicle

?

anatomical slang (often plural: los huevos)

Also:

ball

?

vulgar slang

📝 In Action

Me caí y me di un golpe en los huevos, ¡qué dolor!

C1

I fell and hit myself in the balls, what pain!

No me toques los huevos, estoy de mal humor.

C2

Don't bother me (literally: don't touch my balls), I'm in a bad mood.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • testículo (testicle (formal))
  • cojón (ball (more vulgar))

Idioms & Expressions

  • Tener los huevos llenos – To be fed up or completely annoyed.
  • Dejar los huevos en el plato – To give everything you have; to make a supreme effort.

💡 Grammar Points

Use in Plural

This meaning is almost always used in the plural form, 'los huevos,' especially in idiomatic expressions.

⭐ Usage Tips

Extreme Caution

This is a very vulgar and offensive meaning. Use the formal term 'testículo' or the less offensive 'pelotas' (balls) if you must refer to this body part in a neutral setting.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: huevo

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'huevo' in its most common, neutral meaning?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

ovalar(to make oval/egg-shaped) - verb
hueva(roe (fish eggs)) - noun
huevera(egg cup/egg carton) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'huevo' masculine if it’s a biological item often associated with reproduction?

Spanish nouns are assigned grammatical gender regardless of the object's biological function. Since 'huevo' comes from the Latin neuter noun *ovum* (which often became masculine in Spanish), and it ends in -o, it is consistently treated as a masculine noun: 'el huevo.'

How can I tell if 'huevo' means 'egg' or 'courage' in a sentence?

Context is key! If it's used with verbs like 'comer' (to eat) or 'cocinar' (to cook), it means egg. If it's used with verbs like 'tener' (to have) or 'echarle' (to put into) in an informal context, it likely refers to courage, guts, or effort.