Inklingo
← Dictionary

muscular

moos-koo-LAHR/muskuˈlaɾ/

“muscular” means “muscular” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

muscular

Also: muscle-related
A detailed close-up illustration showing the muscle fibers of a human arm.

📝 In Action

Tengo un dolor muscular después de correr.

A1

I have muscle pain after running.

La masa muscular es importante para la salud.

B1

Muscle mass is important for health.

El sistema muscular nos permite movernos.

B2

The muscular system allows us to move.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • físico (physical)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • masa muscular – muscle mass
  • dolor muscular – muscle pain
  • tejido muscular – muscle tissue

to build muscle

Also: to tone up
VerbB2regular ar
An illustration of a person lifting a heavy dumbbell to strengthen their arm.
gerundmusculando
past Participlemusculado
infinitivemuscular

📝 In Action

Él va al gimnasio para muscular las piernas.

B1

He goes to the gym to build muscle in his legs.

Es difícil muscular sin comer suficiente proteína.

B2

It is difficult to build muscle without eating enough protein.

Se ha musculado mucho este verano.

C1

He has gotten very buff this summer.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • atrofiar (to atrophy/wither)

Common Collocations

  • muscular el cuerpo – to build up the body

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesmuscularan
yomusculara
túmuscularas
vosotrosmuscularais
nosotrosmusculáramos
él/ella/ustedmusculara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesmusculen
yomuscule
túmuscules
vosotrosmusculéis
nosotrosmusculemos
él/ella/ustedmuscule

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesmuscularon
yomusculé
túmusculaste
vosotrosmusculasteis
nosotrosmusculamos
él/ella/ustedmusculó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesmusculaban
yomusculaba
túmusculabas
vosotrosmusculabais
nosotrosmusculábamos
él/ella/ustedmusculaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesmusculan
yomusculo
túmusculas
vosotrosmusculáis
nosotrosmusculamos
él/ella/ustedmuscula
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "muscular" in Spanish:

muscle-related→muscular→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: muscular

Question 1 of 3

If you want to say someone has a very athletic, 'buff' body, which word is BEST?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
músculo(muscle) — Noun
musculoso(brawny/muscular (person)) — Adjective
musculatura(musculature) — Noun
musculación(bodybuilding/weight training) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'musculus', which literally means 'little mouse.' Ancient people thought that a muscle moving under the skin looked like a small mouse running around.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: muscularFrench: musculaireItalian: muscolare

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'muscular' and 'musculoso'?

Think of 'muscular' as a medical or technical term (muscle-related), while 'musculoso' is a descriptive term for a person (buff/strong).

Does 'muscular' change for feminine nouns?

No! It stays the same for both. You say 'un tejido muscular' (masculine) and 'una fibra muscular' (feminine).

Is 'muscular' used for animals too?

Yes, it can describe the anatomy or the action of building muscle in animals, just like in humans.