Inklingo

How to Say "heads" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cabezas

kah-BEH-sas/kaˈβeθas/

nounA1general
Use 'cabezas' when referring to the literal head of a person or animal, or figuratively for people in charge or a unit of livestock.
A simple drawing of three distinct human heads, clearly separated, emphasizing them as body parts.

Examples

Necesitamos tres cabezas para cargar la mesa.

We need three people/heads to carry the table.

Las cabezas de la organización se reunirán mañana.

The leaders of the organization will meet tomorrow.

El granjero cuenta con veinte cabezas de ganado.

The farmer has twenty head of cattle.

Gender and Number

This word is the plural of the feminine noun 'cabeza.' Even if you are referring to a group of men, the noun remains feminine: 'las cabezas.'

Referring to people

Mistake: “Usar 'cabezas' para referirse a la gente en general (e.g., 'hay muchas cabezas').”

Correction: While correct, it sounds formal or like counting livestock. Use 'gente' (people) or 'personas' instead for general crowds.

caras

KAH-ras/ˈkaɾas/

nounA1general
Use 'caras' specifically when talking about the 'heads' side of a coin in the phrase 'heads or tails'.
A close-up illustration showing three diverse human faces with different expressions.

Examples

Las niñas tienen caras muy felices.

The girls have very happy faces.

Tiramos la moneda para ver qué sale, ¿caras o cruces?

We toss the coin to see what comes up, heads or tails?

Me gusta ver las caras de la gente cuando reciben regalos.

I like seeing people's faces when they receive gifts.

Plural Noun

This is the plural form of the feminine noun 'cara' (face/side). In Spanish, nouns must match the number of people or things (one cara, many caras).

Gender Confusion

Mistake: “Los caras (The faces)”

Correction: Use the feminine article 'las' because 'cara' is a feminine word: 'Las caras'.

jefes

HEH-fehs/ˈxefes/

nounB1general
Choose 'jefes' when referring to leaders, bosses, or chiefs of a group, organization, or movement.
A storybook illustration showing three tribal leaders wearing simple, authoritative garments standing on a high point, pointing toward the horizon as they command their group.

Examples

Los jefes tribales firmaron el acuerdo de paz.

The tribal chiefs signed the peace agreement.

Varios jefes militares asistieron a la ceremonia.

Several military commanders attended the ceremony.

águila

nounB1general
Use 'águila' to refer to the 'heads' side of a coin, often when the national emblem is depicted on that side.

Examples

¿Águila o sol? Tira la moneda para decidir.

Heads or tails? Flip the coin to decide.

Heads vs. Coin Toss

Learners often confuse 'cabezas' with the coin toss terms 'cara' or 'águila'. Remember that 'cabezas' refers to the literal head, while 'cara' or 'águila' are specific to the 'heads' side of a coin.

Related Translations

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