Inklingo
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uñas

/OO-nyahs/

fingernails

A close-up view of a human hand showing five fingers with neatly trimmed fingernails against a soft background.

In the context of the human body, 'uñas' means fingernails.

uñas(noun)

fA1

fingernails

?

Human body part

,

toenails

?

Human body part

Also:

nails

?

General term for hands/feet

📝 In Action

Necesito cortar mis uñas porque están muy largas.

A1

I need to cut my nails because they are very long.

Me gusta pintarme las uñas de color rojo.

A2

I like to paint my nails red.

Mi perro no deja de lamerse las uñas de las patas.

A2

My dog won't stop licking the nails on his paws.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • garra (claw (animal))

Common Collocations

  • cortar las uñas – to cut the nails
  • pintarse las uñas – to paint one's nails

💡 Grammar Points

Use of the Article

When talking about body parts, Spanish often uses 'el,' 'la,' 'los,' or 'las' instead of 'mi' or 'tu' when the owner is already clear. (e.g., 'Me corto las uñas,' not 'mis uñas.')

❌ Common Pitfalls

Possessive confusion

Mistake: "Voy a cortar mis uñas."

Correction: Voy a cortarme las uñas. (The reflexive verb 'cortarse' makes it clear they are your nails, so you don't need 'mis'.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Plurality

Even if you are only talking about one nail, 'uñas' is often used in the plural, like 'nails' in English, unless you specifically mean 'one nail' (una uña).

A simple illustration of a large animal paw, such as a tiger or lion, extending sharp, curved claws.

When referring to animals, 'uñas' translates to claws.

uñas(noun)

fB1

claws

?

Figurative use, referring to animals or aggression

,

talons

?

Figurative use, usually for birds of prey

📝 In Action

Cuando lo criticaron, él sacó las uñas y se defendió con fuerza.

B2

When they criticized him, he showed his claws (got defensive) and defended himself fiercely.

Esas dos hermanas son uña y carne; no pueden estar separadas.

B1

Those two sisters are like two peas in a pod (inseparable); they can't be apart.

La vida en la ciudad es dura, hay que luchar con uñas y dientes.

B2

Life in the city is tough, you have to fight tooth and nail.

Word Connections

Idioms & Expressions

  • sacar las uñas – To defend oneself fiercely or become aggressive/defensive.
  • ser uña y carne – To be extremely close or inseparable friends.
  • luchar con uñas y dientes – To fight with great determination, using all possible means.

💡 Grammar Points

Fixed Phrases

Idioms involving 'uñas' are fixed phrases, meaning you cannot usually change the words or their order without losing the special meaning.

⭐ Usage Tips

Context is Key

If you hear 'uñas' used in a context that isn't about manicure or body care, it's probably part of an idiom expressing conflict, closeness, or effort.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: uñas

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'uñas' to mean 'inseparable friends'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

uña(nail (singular)) - noun
ungüento(ointment) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'uña' (singular) used often?

Yes, 'uña' is used when you are specifically referring to one single nail (e.g., 'Me rompí una uña' - I broke one nail). However, when talking about the general act of grooming or the whole set, the plural 'uñas' is much more common.

How do I know if 'uñas' means fingernails or toenails?

Usually, the context tells you. If you are talking about painting them (*pintarse*), it almost always means fingernails. If you need to be precise, you can add 'de los pies' (of the feet) for toenails or 'de las manos' (of the hands) for fingernails, but this is often unnecessary.