pierna

/pee-EHR-nah/

leg

A cartoon illustration of a single human leg, seen from the knee down, standing upright on a simple ground.

In this context, pierna refers to the body part, the leg.

pierna(noun)

fA1

leg

body part

Also:

pin (slang for leg)

colloquial usage

📝 In Action

Me caí y ahora me duele la pierna derecha.

I fell and now my right leg hurts.

Ella corre muy rápido porque tiene piernas fuertes.

She runs very fast because she has strong legs.

Vamos a estirar las piernas antes de seguir conduciendo.

Let's stretch our legs before continuing to drive.

Word Connections

Synonyms

extremidad inferior (lower limb (formal))

Common Collocations

cruzar las piernas – to cross one's legs
romperse la pierna – to break one's leg

Idioms & Expressions

meter la pata– to put one's foot in one's mouth / to mess up

💡 Grammar Points

Using Articles with Body Parts

Unlike English, Spanish usually uses definite articles (la, el, las, los) instead of possessive adjectives (mi, tu) when talking about body parts, especially when the subject of the sentence makes the possession clear. Example: 'Me duele la pierna' (My leg hurts).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Mi' Instead of 'La'

Mistake: "Me duele mi pierna."

Correction: Me duele la pierna.

⭐ Usage Tips

Diminutive Form

The diminutive form, 'piernita,' is often used affectionately or when referring to the small legs of a baby or an insect.

A stylized image of a large, roasted leg of ham, complete with a bone, resting on a wooden serving board.

Pierna can also refer to a large cut of meat, such as a leg of lamb or pork.

pierna(noun)

fB1

leg

large cut of meat (e.g., lamb, pork, ham)

Also:

thigh (of pork or ham)

culinary

📝 In Action

Para la cena de Navidad, compramos una pierna de cordero.

For Christmas dinner, we bought a leg of lamb.

En España, la pierna de jamón ibérico es muy valorada.

In Spain, the leg of Iberian ham is highly prized.

Word Connections

Synonyms

pernilete (small leg/thigh (less common))

💡 Grammar Points

Parts of Food

When used for food, 'pierna' almost always refers to a large cut that is structurally similar to a leg, particularly for poultry, ham, or large roasting meats.

⭐ Usage Tips

Specifying the Animal

Always specify the animal when using this meaning (e.g., 'pierna de cerdo' or 'pierna de pavo') to avoid confusion with the body part.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: pierna

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'pierna' in a culinary context?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

piernita(little leg (diminutive)) - noun

pernada(kick or leg movement) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'pierna' used for animal legs too?

Yes, 'pierna' is the standard word for both human and animal legs. However, the word 'pata' is often used specifically for the legs or paws of animals, especially four-legged creatures or insects.

What's the difference between 'pierna' and 'pata'?

'Pierna' typically refers to the human leg or a large cut of meat. 'Pata' generally refers to an animal's leg, paw, or a furniture leg. If you say a person has 'patas,' it's usually informal or joking.