Inklingo
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riñón

/rree-NYOHN/

kidney

A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration of a single, reddish-brown, bean-shaped human kidney organ.

In anatomy, riñón means 'kidney'.

riñón(Noun)

mA2

kidney

?

Anatomy/Body part

Also:

loin

?

Meat cut or anatomical region

📝 In Action

El médico dijo que mis riñones funcionan perfectamente.

A2

The doctor said my kidneys are working perfectly.

Siento dolor en la zona del riñón derecho.

B1

I feel pain in the area of the right kidney.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • donación de riñón – kidney donation
  • trasplante de riñón – kidney transplant

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun

Remember that 'riñón' is always a masculine word, so you use 'el riñón' or 'los riñones'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the Singular

Mistake: "Me duele el riñón."

Correction: Me duelen los riñones. (Unless you only have one or the pain is localized, Spanish speakers often refer to both kidneys in the plural.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Health Context

This word is essential for discussing hydration, filtering blood, and general health issues.

A massive, overflowing pile of shiny gold coins and stacks of colorful paper currency, symbolizing immense wealth.

Figuratively, riñón can refer to 'fortune' or great wealth.

riñón(Noun)

mB2

fortune

?

Figurative: great wealth/money

Also:

arm and a leg

?

Used in the idiom 'costar un riñón'

📝 In Action

Ese coche deportivo costó un riñón, ¿verdad?

B2

That sports car cost an arm and a leg, didn't it?

Tiene tanto dinero que podría comprar un riñón de la ciudad.

C1

He has so much money he could buy a fortune (or a huge chunk) of the city.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • fortuna (fortune)
  • dineral (huge amount of money)

Idioms & Expressions

  • costar un riñón – To be extremely expensive (to cost an arm and a leg).

💡 Grammar Points

Idiomatic Use

When used in the sense of 'costing a fortune,' it almost always appears in the singular: 'costar un riñón'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Literal Translation

Mistake: "We had to pay a kidney for the house."

Correction: Tuvimos que pagar un riñón por la casa. (While the Spanish is correct, make sure to translate the feeling, not the words, into English: 'We had to pay an arm and a leg.')

⭐ Usage Tips

High Emotion

Use this idiom when you want to express exasperation or surprise at a very high price.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: riñón

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'riñón' in its figurative meaning?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

riñonera(fanny pack / kidney belt) - noun
renal(renal / relating to the kidneys) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'riñón' used to mean a lot of money?

It's used because the kidneys are vital organs; losing one is a huge sacrifice. Therefore, to 'cost a kidney' means the price is so high it feels like you're giving up something essential and immensely valuable.

Is 'riñón' ever used in the feminine form?

No, 'riñón' is exclusively masculine. If you are referring to a fanny pack or kidney belt, you would use the related feminine noun 'la riñonera'.