Inklingo

How to Say "hand" in Spanish

English → Spanish

mano

/mah-noh//ˈma.no/

NounA1General
Use 'mano' when referring to the body part at the end of your arm or when offering help in a general sense, like 'lend a hand'.
A close-up view of a human hand, open and resting, clearly showing the fingers and palm.

Examples

Lávate las manos antes de comer.

Wash your hands before eating.

Tengo las manos frías.

I have cold hands.

Escribe con la mano derecha.

He writes with his right hand.

¿Me puedes echar una mano con estas bolsas?

Can you give me a hand with these bags?

A Tricky Gender: It's 'la mano'

Heads up! Even though 'mano' ends in '-o', which usually means a word is masculine (an 'el' word), 'mano' is an exception. It's a 'la' word (feminine). Always say 'la mano' or 'una mano'.

Getting the Gender Wrong

Mistake: “Vi un anillo en el mano de la mujer.”

Correction: Vi un anillo en la mano de la mujer. (I saw a ring on the woman's hand.) Remember, 'mano' is always feminine ('la').

aguja

ah-GOO-hah/aˈɣu.xa/

NounB1General
Use 'aguja' specifically when talking about the pointer on a clock or watch face.
A long, thin, black pointer, sharply tapered at one end, designed to function as an indicator or clock hand.

Examples

La aguja del reloj se movía muy despacio.

The clock hand was moving very slowly.

Si la aguja de la gasolina está en rojo, tienes que repostar.

If the gas indicator is in the red, you have to refuel.

Metaphorical Use

This meaning extends from the literal 'needle' because clock hands and gauges are long, thin, pointed instruments, just like a sewing needle.

ronda

/RRON-dah//ˈron.da/

NounB1Informal
Use 'ronda' to refer to a round in a card game or a round of drinks.
A wooden serving tray holding five identical glasses filled with sparkling orange soda, ready to be served to a group.

Examples

¿Quién paga la próxima ronda?

Who is paying for the next round (of drinks)?

Perdí todas mis fichas en la última ronda de póker.

I lost all my chips in the last hand of poker.

Don't confuse 'mano' with 'aguja'

The most common mistake is using 'mano' when referring to a clock. Remember that the pointer on a clock or watch is called an 'aguja' in Spanish, not a 'mano'.

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