Inklingo
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sesos

/SAY-sohs/

brains

A simple drawing of a whole brain on a clean white plate.

In Spanish, 'sesos' refers to the physical brain, often in a culinary context.

sesos(noun)

mB1

brains

?

physical substance or culinary ingredient

Also:

marrow

?

sometimes used for inner substance

📝 In Action

En este restaurante sirven tacos de sesos.

B1

In this restaurant, they serve brain tacos.

El accidente fue fuerte, pero no se dañó los sesos.

B2

The accident was bad, but he didn't damage his brains.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cerebro (brain (the organ))
  • masa encefálica (brain matter)

Common Collocations

  • tacos de sesos – brain tacos
  • sesos huecos – empty-headed

💡 Grammar Points

Always Plural

This word is almost always used in its plural form (with an 's'), even when referring to one person or animal.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Sesos vs. Cerebro

Mistake: "Using 'sesos' in a biology or medical context."

Correction: Use 'cerebro' for the biological organ and 'sesos' for the substance (especially food) or mental capacity.

⭐ Usage Tips

Kitchen Talk

If you are reading a menu in Mexico or Spain, 'sesos' refers to the culinary dish. If you're in a doctor's office, you'll likely hear 'cerebro' instead.

A bright yellow lightbulb glowing brightly to represent a clever idea.

The word 'sesos' is also used figuratively to describe someone's intelligence or wit.

sesos(noun)

mB2

brains

?

intelligence or wit

,

mind

?

mental capacity

Also:

wits

?

common sense

📝 In Action

Me estoy devanando los sesos para resolver este problema.

B2

I'm racking my brains to solve this problem.

Ese chico tiene muchos sesos; sacó la mejor nota.

B2

That boy has a lot of brains; he got the best grade.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • tener sesos – to have brains/be smart

Idioms & Expressions

  • devanarse los sesos – To think very hard about something, often to the point of exhaustion.
  • perder los sesos – To lose one's mind or fall madly in love.
  • sorber los sesos – To influence someone so much they can't think for themselves.

💡 Grammar Points

Abstract Use

When used to mean 'intelligence', it acts like the English word 'wits'—it describes your mental ability rather than a physical thing.

⭐ Usage Tips

Using 'Devanarse'

The verb 'devanarse' is almost exclusively used with 'sesos'. It's a great high-level phrase to show you're working hard on a puzzle or problem.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: sesos

Question 1 of 2

Which phrase would you use if you are thinking very hard about a difficult math problem?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

sesudo(wise, prudent, or deep-thinking) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'seso' in the singular?

While it technically exists, it is very rare. In 99% of cases, you should use the plural 'sesos', even if you are just talking about one person's intelligence.

Is 'sesos' an insult?

Not by itself, but if you say someone has 'pocos sesos' (few brains) or 'sesos de mosquito', you are calling them unintelligent.