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sudor

/soo-DOR/

sweat

A close-up illustration of a simplified face showing large drops of sweat rolling down the forehead and temple, indicating physical exertion.

Sudor means sweat, the moisture released by the body, often during exercise.

sudor(noun)

mA1

sweat

?

bodily fluid

Also:

perspiration

?

formal/medical term

📝 In Action

Después de correr, tenía la camisa empapada en sudor.

A1

After running, my shirt was soaked in sweat.

El calor era tanto que el sudor me corría por la frente.

A2

The heat was so intense that sweat was running down my forehead.

Necesitas beber agua para reponer el sudor que perdiste.

A2

You need to drink water to replace the sweat you lost.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • transpiración (perspiration)

Common Collocations

  • gotas de sudor – drops of sweat
  • estar bañado en sudor – to be drenched/soaked in sweat

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Rule

Even though many Spanish words ending in -or are feminine (like flor or labor), 'sudor' is masculine. Always use 'el sudor' and 'mucho sudor'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the wrong article

Mistake: "La sudor es desagradable."

Correction: El sudor es desagradable. (The word 'sudor' is masculine, so use 'el'.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Related Verb

The verb form is 'sudar' (to sweat). You can say 'Estoy sudando' (I am sweating) or 'Tengo sudor' (I have sweat).

A simple storybook illustration of a person straining while digging vigorously into brown soil with a silver shovel, representing hard work or toil.

In addition to sweat, sudor can also metaphorically refer to hard work or toil.

sudor(noun)

mB1

toil

?

hard work/effort

Also:

labor

?

intensive effort

📝 In Action

Con mucho sudor y dedicación, lograron terminar el proyecto a tiempo.

B1

With much toil and dedication, they managed to finish the project on time.

La construcción de ese edificio costó mucho sudor a los obreros.

B2

The construction of that building cost the workers a lot of hard work.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Idioms & Expressions

  • ganarse el pan con el sudor de su frente – To earn a living through hard physical labor.

💡 Grammar Points

Figurative Use

This meaning uses 'sudor' as a metaphor for intense effort, reflecting the physical exertion that causes sweating. It’s often used in conjunction with verbs like 'costar' (to cost) or 'conseguir' (to achieve).

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal Context

While you can use 'esfuerzo' for general effort, using 'sudor' carries a more dramatic or formal tone, emphasizing the physical hardship involved.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: sudor

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'sudor' in its figurative meaning (hard work)?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

sudar(to sweat) - verb
sudoroso(sweaty) - adjective
sudadero(sweat cloth/saddle blanket) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I say 'I am sweating' using 'sudor'?

While the literal translation is 'Tengo sudor' (I have sweat), the most natural and common way to express this action is by using the related verb: 'Estoy sudando' (I am sweating).

Why is 'sudor' masculine when many words ending in -or are feminine?

'Sudor' is one of the exceptions to the general rule. Although words like 'flor' (flower) and 'labor' (labor) are feminine, 'sudor' followed the masculine gender of its Latin root (*sudor*), so it always uses the masculine article 'el'.