lienzo
“lienzo” means “canvas” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
canvas
Also: linen cloth
📝 In Action
Compré un lienzo en blanco para empezar mi pintura.
A2I bought a blank canvas to start my painting.
El cuadro fue pintado al óleo sobre lienzo.
B1The picture was painted with oils on canvas.
El museo exhibe lienzos de los artistas más famosos.
B2The museum displays canvases by the most famous artists.
stretch of wall
Also: curtain wall
📝 In Action
El lienzo de la muralla norte necesita reparaciones.
C1The stretch of the north wall needs repairs.
Se puede ver un largo lienzo de piedra que rodea el castillo.
C2A long stone curtain wall can be seen surrounding the castle.
Este lienzo de pared es el más antiguo de la catedral.
C1This section of wall is the oldest in the cathedral.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: lienzo
Question 1 of 3
If you are in an art supply store and want a surface to paint on, what do you ask for?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Derived from the Latin 'linteum,' which referred to items made of 'linum' (linen). It originally described any cloth made of flax before specializing into its artistic and architectural meanings.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'lienzo' the same as 'lona'?
Not exactly. 'Lienzo' is usually higher quality and used for art or fine clothing, while 'lona' is heavy-duty canvas used for tents, sails, or sturdy bags.
Can I use 'lienzo' to mean a towel?
No. While it technically refers to linen cloth, in modern Spanish, you should use 'toalla' for a towel.
Why is a wall called a 'lienzo'?
It's a metaphor from old construction. A long, flat stretch of a wall looked like a large hanging cloth or 'curtain' of stone.