A collection of several diverse and smiling human faces shown together in a friendly group.

rostros

ROHS-trohs

nounmB1

faces?plural form of human facial features

Also:countenances?literary term for facial expressions

📝 In Action

Vi muchos rostros conocidos en la multitud.

I saw many familiar faces in the crowd.

Los rostros de los niños reflejaban pura felicidad.

The children's faces reflected pure happiness.

Es una ciudad de mil rostros.

It is a city of a thousand faces.

Word Connections

Synonyms

caras (faces)
semblantes (facial expressions)
facciones (features)

Common Collocations

rostros pálidos – pale faces
rostros familiares – familiar faces
lavarse los rostros – to wash one's faces

💡 Grammar Points

Plurality and Gender

This is the plural form of 'rostro'. It is always masculine, so you should use it with plural masculine words like 'los' (the) or 'nuestros' (our).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Rostros vs. Caras

Mistake: "Using 'rostros' to describe an animal's face."

Correction: Use 'cara' or 'hocico' (snout) for animals; 'rostros' is almost always reserved for humans to sound more dignified or artistic.

⭐ Usage Tips

When to use it

Use 'rostros' instead of 'caras' when you want to sound more poetic, formal, or when describing the 'features' or 'look' of someone in a story.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: rostros

Question 1 of 1

Which word is more likely to be used in a newspaper article or a novel to describe people's faces?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

rostro(face) - noun

desrostrarse(to break or damage one's face) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'rostros' more formal than 'caras'?

Yes, 'rostros' has a slightly more elevated or formal feel. You'll hear 'caras' in the supermarket, but you'll read 'rostros' in a poem or a news report.

Can I use 'rostros' for the face of a clock?

No. For a clock face, you must use 'esfera' or 'cara'. 'Rostros' is specifically for human countenances.