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How to Say "expression" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “expression” is “expresión” — use this word when referring to the act or ability to communicate ideas, feelings, or opinions, such as freedom of speech.

expresiónA1

Use this word when referring to the act or ability to communicate ideas, feelings, or opinions, such as freedom of speech.

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cara🔊A1

Choose 'cara' when you are talking about the physical face and the look or appearance it conveys, like a happy or sad expression.

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dicho🔊B1

Use 'dicho' for a well-known phrase or saying that expresses a common truth or piece of advice.

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frase🔊A1

Use 'frase' when referring to a specific sentence or a common, often simple, saying.

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término🔊B1

Select 'término' when you mean a specific word or phrase used to describe something, often in a technical or formal context.

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manifestaciónC1

Use 'manifestación' when talking about how something is shown or revealed, like an artistic expression or a display of emotion.

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English → Spanish

expresión

nounA1general
Use this word when referring to the act or ability to communicate ideas, feelings, or opinions, such as freedom of speech.

Examples

La libertad de expresión es fundamental en una democracia.

Freedom of expression is fundamental in a democracy.

cara

kah-rahˈka.ɾa

nounA1general
Choose 'cara' when you are talking about the physical face and the look or appearance it conveys, like a happy or sad expression.
Close-up, front view illustration of a neutral human face, showing the eyes, nose, and mouth structure.

Examples

Me lavo la cara todas las mañanas.

I wash my face every morning.

La moneda tiene dos caras: cara y cruz.

The coin has two sides: heads and tails.

Puso mala cara cuando le conté el problema.

He put on a sour face when I told him the problem.

'Cara' is a Feminine Word

Even though it doesn't end in '-o', 'cara' is a feminine word. So, you always use 'la' or 'una' with it. For example, 'la cara bonita' (the pretty face).

Describing Your Own Face

Mistake: “Incorrect: 'Tengo cara cansada.'”

Correction: Correct: 'Tengo la cara cansada.' When you're describing the state of your own body part, like your face, you usually need to include 'la' (the).

dicho

DEE-chohˈdi.t͡ʃo

nounB1general
Use 'dicho' for a well-known phrase or saying that expresses a common truth or piece of advice.
A kind grandmother leaning down and whispering a piece of traditional wisdom into the ear of her curious grandchild in a sunny garden, symbolizing the transmission of a saying or proverb.

Examples

Como dice el dicho, 'más vale tarde que nunca'.

As the saying goes, 'better late than never'.

Mi abuela siempre tiene un dicho para cada situación.

My grandmother always has a saying for every situation.

Del dicho al hecho hay mucho trecho.

There's a big gap between what is said and what is done. (An idiom itself!)

Always Masculine

When used as a noun meaning 'saying', 'dicho' is always masculine. You'll always say 'el dicho' or 'un dicho'.

frase

FRAH-sehˈfɾase

nounA1general
Use 'frase' when referring to a specific sentence or a common, often simple, saying.
A small, friendly blue bird sitting on a branch. Three distinct, colorful, geometric shapes (a circle, a square, and a triangle) are floating together in a connected chain, emanating from the bird's beak, representing a short phrase.

Examples

Escribe una frase sencilla en el cuaderno.

Write a simple sentence in the notebook.

Esta frase tiene un error de puntuación.

This phrase has a punctuation error.

Necesito aprender algunas frases básicas para el viaje.

I need to learn some basic phrases for the trip.

Gender Check

Remember that 'frase' is feminine, so you must use 'la frase' or 'una frase'.

Frase vs. Oración

Mistake: “Using 'frase' when referring specifically to a complete thought with a subject and verb, especially in grammar class.”

Correction: While 'frase' is fine in everyday talk, technically, 'oración' is the word for a complete grammatical sentence. Think of 'frase' as the general term for 'a group of words.'

nounB1formal
Select 'término' when you mean a specific word or phrase used to describe something, often in a technical or formal context.

Examples

Ese es un término científico que solo conocen los expertos.

That is a scientific term that only experts know.

manifestación

nounC1formal
Use 'manifestación' when talking about how something is shown or revealed, like an artistic expression or a display of emotion.

Examples

El arte es una manifestación de la cultura.

Art is an expression of culture.

Confusing Sayings vs. Facial Expressions

Learners often confuse 'cara' (face/facial expression) with words for sayings like 'dicho' or 'frase'. Remember that 'cara' refers to what's on your face, while 'dicho' and 'frase' are about spoken or written words.

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