oreja

/oh-REH-hah/

ear (external part)

A simple, close-up illustration of the external human ear, showing the visible structure.

The most common meaning of oreja is the external part of the ear.

oreja(noun)

fA1

ear (external part)

the visible part of the hearing organ

📝 In Action

Me duele la oreja después de nadar en la piscina.

My ear hurts after swimming in the pool.

Tiene las orejas pequeñas y redondas.

She has small, round ears.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

dolor de oreja – earache
lavarse las orejas – to wash one's ears

Idioms & Expressions

Ser todo orejas – To be all ears; listening very attentively.
Tirar de la oreja a alguien – To give someone a light punishment or a warning (often playfully to a child).

💡 Grammar Points

Using Articles with Body Parts

In Spanish, we usually use the definite article (la, el, las, los) instead of 'my' or 'your' when talking about body parts, like 'Me duele la oreja' (My ear hurts).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Oreja vs. Oído

Mistake: "Using 'oreja' when referring to the sense of hearing or the inner ear."

Correction: Use 'oído' for the sense of hearing (e.g., 'Tengo buen oído' - I have good hearing) and 'oreja' for the external part you can see.

⭐ Usage Tips

Hearing vs. The Organ

Remember: 'oreja' is the visible flap on the side of your head. The internal structure and the sense of hearing is 'oído'.

A simple, brightly colored ceramic mug viewed from the side, clearly showing its handle.

Oreja can also refer to the handle of a cup, jar, or basket.

oreja(noun)

fB1

handle

on a cup, jar, or basket

Also:

lug

a small projecting part of an object

📝 In Action

Se me rompió la oreja de la taza de café.

The handle of my coffee cup broke off.

Las cestas tienen una oreja fuerte para colgarlas.

The baskets have a strong loop/handle to hang them up.

Word Connections

Synonyms

asa (handle (general))

⭐ Usage Tips

Figurative Shape

This meaning is used specifically when the handle or protrusion is rounded or shaped like an actual ear.

A single piece of cooked pig's ear meat resting on a plain plate.

In culinary contexts, oreja refers to a pig's ear cut of meat.

oreja(noun)

fB2

pig's ear

a dish or cut of meat

Also:

pastry (shaped like an ear)

a type of sweet Spanish pastry

📝 In Action

En Galicia es común comer oreja de cerdo en invierno.

In Galicia, it is common to eat pig's ear in winter.

Quiero una oreja con azúcar y canela para el postre.

I want an 'oreja' pastry with sugar and cinnamon for dessert.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: oreja

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'oreja' in its figurative meaning?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

oído(inner ear, sense of hearing) - noun

auricular(earphone, earpiece) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'oreja' and 'oído'?

'Oreja' is the external, visible flap of the ear (what you wear earrings on). 'Oído' refers to the internal parts of the ear and the actual sense of hearing itself.

Is 'oreja' only used for human ears?

No, 'oreja' is used for the external ears of both humans and animals (like dogs or elephants). However, the smaller, internal parts are usually referred to as 'oído'.