Inklingo

How to Say "guts" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “guts” is “agallas” — use 'agallas' when referring to general courage or bravery, especially when facing a difficult challenge.

agallas🔊B2

Use 'agallas' when referring to general courage or bravery, especially when facing a difficult challenge.

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coraje🔊A2

Use 'coraje' to describe the inner strength or courage someone possesses to do something, especially when it's difficult or has consequences.

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entraña🔊B2

Use 'entraña' figuratively to refer to the deepest part of something or someone, often implying a deep-seated courage or the core of a situation.

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estómago🔊B2

Use 'estómago' figuratively when you lack the nerve, tolerance, or 'stomach' for something unpleasant or difficult, similar to the English idiom.

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garra🔊B2

Employ 'garra' to describe a tenacious and spirited kind of bravery, often seen in athletes or people who show determination and fight.

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huevo🔊B2

Use 'huevo' informally to mean guts or bravery, often implying the need to put in more effort or courage to achieve something.

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bolas🔊B2

Use 'bolas' informally and colloquially to refer to courage or bravery, similar to 'balls' in English slang.

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hígado🔊B2

Use 'hígado' to describe having the courage or boldness needed to confront a difficult or challenging situation.

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arresto🔊C1

Use 'arresto' informally to mean the nerve or courage required to do something, often implying a lack of it when someone fails to act.

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pelotas🔊C1

Use 'pelotas' as slang for courage or bravery, similar to 'bolas' and the English 'balls', implying a bold or daring attitude.

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English → Spanish

agallas

ah-GAH-yasaˈɣaʎas

nounB2
Use 'agallas' when referring to general courage or bravery, especially when facing a difficult challenge.
A tiny, brave mouse standing confidently on the ground before a large, gentle dog, symbolizing courage.

Examples

Para enfrentarte a ese jefe, necesitas tener muchas agallas.

To face that boss, you need to have a lot of guts.

No tuvo las agallas de decirle la verdad.

He didn't have the nerve (or guts) to tell her the truth.

Ella demostró sus agallas al saltar en paracaídas por primera vez.

She showed her grit by skydiving for the first time.

Always Plural

This figurative meaning is almost always used in the plural form: 'las agallas'. You rarely hear 'una agalla' in this context.

Confusing Gills and Courage

Mistake: “Using 'agallas' in a formal or technical setting when referring to courage (e.g., in a legal report).”

Correction: Use 'valentía' or 'coraje' for formal contexts; save 'agallas' for casual conversation.

coraje

koh-RAH-hehkoˈɾa.xe

nounA2
Use 'coraje' to describe the inner strength or courage someone possesses to do something, especially when it's difficult or has consequences.
A small child standing bravely in front of a slightly intimidating but friendly-looking obstacle, holding a wooden shield.

Examples

Tuvo el coraje de decir la verdad a pesar de las consecuencias.

He had the courage to tell the truth despite the consequences.

Se necesita mucho coraje para empezar un negocio desde cero.

It takes a lot of bravery to start a business from scratch.

Gender Rule

Even though 'coraje' ends in '-e', it is always a masculine noun, so you must use 'el coraje' or 'un coraje'.

Using 'Coraje' for Physical Heart

Mistake: “Me duele el coraje. (I have a pain in my courage.)”

Correction: Use 'corazón' for the physical organ: 'Me duele el corazón.' (I have a pain in my heart.)

entraña

en-TRA-nyahenˈtɾaɲa

nounB2
Use 'entraña' figuratively to refer to the deepest part of something or someone, often implying a deep-seated courage or the core of a situation.
A detailed cross-section of a mountain showing its internal caves and tunnels.

Examples

El minero trabajaba en las entrañas de la tierra.

The miner worked in the depths of the earth.

Sintió un dolor profundo en las entrañas.

He felt a deep pain in his guts.

Esta película muestra las entrañas de la industria musical.

This movie shows the inner workings (the insides) of the music industry.

Singular vs. Plural

When talking about physical organs or anatomy, it is almost always plural ('entrañas'). When talking about the heart or core of a single concept, you might see it in singular.

Not just for humans

You can use this word for anything that has an 'inside,' like a mountain, a city, or even a computer system.

Don't confuse with 'strange'

Mistake: “Esa es una persona entraña.”

Correction: Esa es una persona extraña. 'Entraña' refers to the inside of something, while 'extraña' means strange or weird.

estómago

es-TOH-mah-goesˈto.ma.ɣo

nounB2
Use 'estómago' figuratively when you lack the nerve, tolerance, or 'stomach' for something unpleasant or difficult, similar to the English idiom.
A small, cheerful storybook character standing firmly and calmly holding a large, dark, jagged rock, symbolizing emotional endurance.

Examples

No tengo estómago para ver películas de terror.

I don't have the stomach (or tolerance) to watch horror movies.

Se necesita mucho estómago para trabajar en esa profesión.

It takes a lot of guts (or nerve/tolerance) to work in that profession.

Using 'Tener'

This figurative meaning almost always pairs with the verb 'tener' (to have) in Spanish to express tolerance or lack thereof: 'No tengo estómago para...' (I don't have the stomach for...).

garra

GAH-rrahˈɡara

nounB2
Employ 'garra' to describe a tenacious and spirited kind of bravery, often seen in athletes or people who show determination and fight.
A small, determined ant pushing a large, heavy red apple up a steep hill.

Examples

Ese jugador tiene mucha garra y nunca se rinde.

That player has a lot of grit and never gives up.

Necesitamos jugar con más garra si queremos ganar.

We need to play with more drive if we want to win.

Admiro la garra de esa mujer para sacar adelante a su familia.

I admire that woman's strength of character to provide for her family.

Abstract Concept

When used to mean 'grit,' the word is an uncountable concept. You generally say 'tiene garra' rather than 'tiene una garra' in this context.

Using it for 'dirt'

Mistake: “Using 'garra' to mean 'grit' as in sand or dirt.”

Correction: In English, 'grit' can mean sand, but in Spanish, 'garra' only means the metaphorical 'grit' (courage).

huevo

OO-EH-vohˈweβo

nounB2informal
Use 'huevo' informally to mean guts or bravery, often implying the need to put in more effort or courage to achieve something.
A tiny, determined mouse standing confidently on the edge of a large, steep wooden step, illustrating bravery.

Examples

Tienes que echarle más huevos a este proyecto si quieres terminarlo a tiempo.

You have to put more effort/guts into this project if you want to finish it on time.

Se necesita mucho huevo para decirle la verdad a tu jefe.

It takes a lot of guts to tell your boss the truth.

Using 'Echarle'

The phrase 'echarle huevos' (to put guts into it) means to apply intense effort or dedication. It's often used reflexively or with 'le' referring to the task.

bolas

BOH-lahsˈbo.las

nounB2informal
Use 'bolas' informally and colloquially to refer to courage or bravery, similar to 'balls' in English slang.
A tiny, determined squirrel standing confidently at the base of a gigantic oak tree, ready to climb, symbolizing courage.

Examples

Tienes que tener bolas para decirle eso al jefe.

You have to have guts (or 'balls') to say that to the boss.

¡Qué bolas las tuyas! ¿Cómo hiciste eso?

What nerve you have! How did you do that?

High-Risk Word

This meaning is highly vulgar in many Spanish-speaking areas. Use with caution and only among close friends in very informal settings.

hígado

EE-gah-dohˈi.ɣa.ðo

nounB2informal
Use 'hígado' to describe having the courage or boldness needed to confront a difficult or challenging situation.
A tiny, determined mouse standing confidently on the peak of a small green hill, symbolizing great courage or 'guts.'

Examples

Hay que tener mucho hígado para enfrentarse a esa situación.

You have to have a lot of guts/nerve to face that situation.

Mi jefe tiene un hígado terrible; se enoja por todo.

My boss has a terrible temper; he gets angry about everything. (Less common usage)

Idiomatic Use

When used figuratively, 'hígado' almost always appears in the phrase 'tener hígado' (to have guts or nerve).

arresto

ah-RREHS-tohaˈrresto

nounC1informal
Use 'arresto' informally to mean the nerve or courage required to do something, often implying a lack of it when someone fails to act.
A small figure standing confidently and bravely on a high, rocky mountain peak, looking out over a vast landscape, symbolizing courage.

Examples

No tuvo los arrestos para confesar su error.

He didn't have the nerve (or guts) to confess his mistake.

Se necesita mucho arresto para iniciar un negocio así.

It takes a lot of spirit to start a business like that.

Figurative Plural

When used to mean 'courage' or 'guts,' it is very commonly used in the plural form: 'los arrestos'.

pelotas

peh-LOH-tahspeˈlotas

nounC1slang
Use 'pelotas' as slang for courage or bravery, similar to 'bolas' and the English 'balls', implying a bold or daring attitude.
Two large, heavy, gray iron cannonballs resting side-by-side on a rough wooden surface, symbolizing toughness.

Examples

Tienes que echarle pelotas si quieres enfrentarte al jefe.

You have to have guts (or 'balls') if you want to confront the boss.

¡Estoy hasta las pelotas de este ruido!

I'm fed up (literally, 'up to my balls') with this noise!

Grammatical Gender vs. Meaning

Even in this vulgar sense, 'pelotas' remains a feminine plural noun, so it always uses 'las' and feminine adjectives.

Informal vs. Formal Courage

The biggest pitfall for learners is using highly informal or slang terms like 'bolas', 'huevos', or 'pelotas' in situations that require more neutral or formal language. While these are common in casual conversation, they can sound inappropriate in professional or serious contexts where 'agallas' or 'coraje' would be better.

Related Translations

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