How to Say "front" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “front” is “cara” — use 'cara' when referring to the literal, forward-facing surface of a person, animal, or object, like a face or the front of a book..
cara
/kah-rah//ˈka.ɾa/
Examples
La cara del billete tiene un retrato.
The front of the banknote has a portrait.
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).
frente
/FREN-tay//ˈfɾen.te/
Examples
El frente de la casa necesita una capa de pintura.
The front of the house needs a coat of paint.
Los soldados están en el frente de batalla.
The soldiers are at the battlefront.
Se acerca un frente frío desde el norte.
A cold front is approaching from the north.
Gender Alert: The 'Front' of Something
When talking about the 'front' of a building, a war, or a weather system, 'frente' is masculine. Always use 'el' or other masculine words with it, like 'el frente' or 'un frente unido' (a united front).
Using the Wrong Gender
Mistake: “La frente de la casa es bonita.”
Correction: El frente de la casa es bonito. Remember, the front of an object is always masculine ('el').
anterior
ahn-teh-RYOR/an.teˈɾjor/
Examples
La parte anterior del coche está dañada.
The front part of the car is damaged.
La parte anterior del edificio necesita reparación urgente.
The front part of the building needs urgent repair.
Los dientes anteriores se utilizan para cortar la comida.
The anterior (front) teeth are used for cutting food.
cabeza
/ka-BEH-sa//kaˈβeθa/
Examples
Él va a la cabeza de la manifestación.
He is at the front of the demonstration.
Mi madre es la cabeza de la familia.
My mother is the head of the family.
El equipo está a la cabeza de la liga.
The team is at the top of the league.
El director es la cabeza visible de la empresa.
The director is the visible head of the company.
pantalla
/pan-TA-ya//panˈtaʎa/
Examples
Su amabilidad era solo una pantalla para ocultar sus verdaderas intenciones.
His kindness was just a front to hide his true intentions.
Su aparente humildad es solo una pantalla para manipular a la gente.
His apparent humility is just a facade (smokescreen) to manipulate people.
Los nuevos impuestos son una pantalla para encubrir la corrupción.
The new taxes are a smokescreen to cover up the corruption.
Figurative Extension
Think of this meaning as literally putting a 'screen' or 'shield' in front of the truth to hide it.
Confusing 'cara' and 'frente'
Related Translations
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