mano

/mah-noh/

hand

The most common meaning of mano is 'hand,' referring to the physical part of the body.

mano(Noun)

fA1

hand

part of the body

📝 In Action

Lávate las manos antes de comer.

Wash your hands before eating.

Tengo las manos frías.

I have cold hands.

Escribe con la mano derecha.

He writes with his right hand.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

a mano – by hand / handmade
dar la mano – to shake hands
tener algo a mano – to have something on hand / nearby

Idioms & Expressions

lavarse las manos – To avoid responsibility for a problem.
de primera mano – Getting information directly from the source.
se le fue la mano – He/she went too far or used too much of something.
mano a mano – Directly, one-on-one, or working closely together.

💡 Grammar Points

A Tricky Gender: It's 'la mano'

Heads up! Even though 'mano' ends in '-o', which usually means a word is masculine (an 'el' word), 'mano' is an exception. It's a 'la' word (feminine). Always say 'la mano' or 'una mano'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Getting the Gender Wrong

Mistake: "Vi un anillo en el mano de la mujer."

Correction: Vi un anillo en la mano de la mujer. (I saw a ring on the woman's hand.) Remember, 'mano' is always feminine ('la').

⭐ Usage Tips

Talking About Your Own Hands

In Spanish, you usually don't say 'my hands' ('mis manos') when it's obvious they're yours. Instead, you just use 'the hands' ('las manos'). For example: 'Me duelen las manos' means 'My hands hurt'.

Two hands clasped together, one reaching down to pull the other up, symbolizing assistance or help.

When used idiomatically, mano can mean 'help' or 'assistance,' as in the phrase 'lend a hand.'

mano(Noun)

fA2

hand

as in 'lend a hand'

Also:

help

assistance

📝 In Action

¿Me puedes echar una mano con estas bolsas?

Can you give me a hand with these bags?

Siempre le doy una mano a mi abuela con el jardín.

I always give my grandmother a hand with the garden.

Necesito una mano para mover este sofá.

I need help to move this sofa.

Word Connections

Synonyms

ayuda (help)
asistencia (assistance)

Idioms & Expressions

echar una mano / dar una mano – To help someone, to lend a hand.

⭐ Usage Tips

Part of a Phrase

This meaning of 'mano' almost always shows up as part of a bigger phrase, like 'echar una mano' or 'dar una mano'. Think of the whole phrase as a single unit that means 'to help'.

A paintbrush applying a single, smooth layer of blue paint onto a neutral wall, showing a distinct coat.

In construction or decorating contexts, mano refers to a 'coat' or 'layer' of paint or varnish.

mano(Noun)

fB1

coat

of paint or varnish

Also:

layer

a single application

📝 In Action

La pared necesita una segunda mano de pintura.

The wall needs a second coat of paint.

Con una mano de barniz será suficiente.

One coat of varnish will be enough.

Word Connections

Synonyms

capa (layer)

Common Collocations

dar una mano de pintura – to give a coat of paint

⭐ Usage Tips

From Action to Result

This meaning makes sense when you think about the action of painting by hand. One 'mano' of paint is the result of one full pass with the brush or roller.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: mano

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence is correct?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

manual(manual (done by hand)) - adjective

manija(handle / doorknob) - noun

manotazo(a slap or swipe with the hand) - noun

manga(sleeve) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'mano' feminine if it ends in -o?

It's a great question! 'Mano' is one of a few important words that break the usual gender rule. It comes from the Latin word 'manus', which was feminine. Spanish kept the original gender from Latin, even though the word's ending looks masculine now. You just have to memorize this one as special: it's always 'la mano'.