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A simplistic storybook illustration showing the lower half of a person's body: two legs wearing blue trousers and brown shoes, mid-stride on a grassy path.

piernas

pee-EHR-nahs

nounfA1
legs?limbs used for walking
Also:pins?informal slang for legs

📝 In Action

Me duelen las piernas después de correr diez kilómetros.

A1

My legs hurt after running ten kilometers.

Ella tiene piernas largas y fuertes, perfectas para el ciclismo.

A2

She has long, strong legs, perfect for cycling.

Necesitamos estirar las piernas antes de seguir conduciendo.

B1

We need to stretch our legs before continuing to drive.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • extremidades inferiores (lower limbs)

Common Collocations

  • piernas cansadas – tired legs
  • cruzar las piernas – to cross one's legs

Idioms & Expressions

  • estirar las piernas – To go for a short walk or stand up after sitting for a long time.
  • no tener piernas – To be completely exhausted or unable to continue moving.

💡 Grammar Points

Feminine Plural Noun

Since this word ends in '-as,' it is always a feminine plural noun. You must use the feminine article 'las' (the) before it.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the Singular

Mistake: "Using 'pierna' when referring to both legs."

Correction: When talking about both of your limbs, or when talking about having a quick walk, always use the plural 'piernas' (las piernas, mis piernas).

⭐ Usage Tips

Body Parts and Articles

When talking about pain or actions related to your own body parts, Spanish often uses the definite article ('las' or 'los') instead of 'my' or 'your' ('mis' or 'tus'). For example: 'Me duele la pierna' (My leg hurts).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: piernas

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'piernas'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

pierna(leg (singular)) - noun
piernil(ham/leg of meat (culinary)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

If I only hurt one leg, do I still say 'piernas'?

No. If you are specifically talking about only one leg, you must use the singular form: 'Me duele la pierna' (My leg hurts). You only use 'piernas' (plural) when referring to both legs or when using an idiom like 'estirar las piernas'.