hígado
/EE-gah-doh/
liver
The word hígado refers to the anatomical organ, the liver.
📝 In Action
El médico me dijo que tengo que cuidar mi hígado.
A2The doctor told me I have to take care of my liver.
El alcohol puede dañar seriamente el hígado con el tiempo.
B1Alcohol can seriously damage the liver over time.
Esta receta usa paté de hígado de pollo.
B1This recipe uses chicken liver pâté.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun Rule
Even though it ends in '-o', which is typical, remember to always use the masculine article 'el' or 'un' with this word: el hígado.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Gender
Mistake: "La hígado funciona bien."
Correction: El hígado funciona bien. (Always masculine.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Health Context
This word is essential for discussing health, diet, and biology. If you are talking to a doctor or reading health labels, you will encounter it often.
In figurative speech, hígado can mean 'guts' or courage, depicting boldness.
📝 In Action
Hay que tener mucho hígado para enfrentarse a esa situación.
B2You have to have a lot of guts/nerve to face that situation.
Mi jefe tiene un hígado terrible; se enoja por todo.
C1My boss has a terrible temper; he gets angry about everything. (Less common usage)
💡 Grammar Points
Idiomatic Use
When used figuratively, 'hígado' almost always appears in the phrase 'tener hígado' (to have guts or nerve).
⭐ Usage Tips
Informal Context
This figurative use is common in casual speech, especially when expressing admiration or shock at someone's boldness.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: hígado
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'hígado' in its most common, literal sense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'hígado' ever mean 'stomach'?
No, 'hígado' strictly means 'liver.' The Spanish word for 'stomach' is 'estómago.' Although both are internal organs, they are never confused.
How do I use 'hígado' to talk about someone being brave?
You use the phrase 'tener hígado' (to have liver/guts). For example: 'Tienes mucho hígado' means 'You have a lot of guts/nerve.'