Inklingo

How to Say "heart" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “heart” is “corazón” — use this for the physical organ that pumps blood, the center of love and emotions, or the central part of a city.

corazónA1

Use this for the physical organ that pumps blood, the center of love and emotions, or the central part of a city.

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centro🔊B1

Use this when referring to the focal point of attention or the central part of an issue, similar to 'center' or 'core'.

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núcleoB1

Use this to describe the essential core or central part of something, such as a group or concept.

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cora🔊B1

Use this informal slang term, derived from 'corazón', to express that something deeply affects your emotions.

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alma🔊B2

Use this figurative term to represent the soul, spirit, or essential character of something, like a place or an art form.

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seno🔊B2

Use this to refer to the inner part of something, specifically in a medical context for 'breast' or in a more abstract sense for the 'bosom' of a group.

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médulaC1

Use this specialized term to indicate the very essence or core of a problem or argument, implying deep insight.

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esencia🔊C1

Use this to describe the fundamental nature, spirit, or central meaning of something abstract.

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English → Spanish

corazón

NounA1General
Use this for the physical organ that pumps blood, the center of love and emotions, or the central part of a city.

Examples

El corazón bombea sangre a todo el cuerpo.

The heart pumps blood to the whole body.

corazón

NounA2General
Use this to express deep love or affection, often translated as 'with all my heart'.

Examples

Te quiero con todo mi corazón.

I love you with all my heart.

corazón

NounB1General
Use this to refer to the central or most important part of a place, like the 'heart of the city'.

Examples

Hay una plaza preciosa en el corazón de la ciudad.

There is a beautiful square in the heart of the city.

centro

SEN-troˈsen.tɾo

NounB1General
Use this when referring to the focal point of attention or the central part of an issue, similar to 'center' or 'core'.
A single, brightly glowing yellow star being surrounded by multiple smaller, colorful arrows pointing directly at it.

Examples

Ella siempre es el centro de atención en las fiestas.

She is always the center of attention at parties.

El medio ambiente fue el centro del debate.

The environment was the focus of the debate.

núcleo

NounB1General
Use this to describe the essential core or central part of something, such as a group or concept.

Examples

La familia es el núcleo fundamental de la sociedad.

The family is the fundamental core of society.

cora

ko-rahˈko.ɾa

nounB1Informal
Use this informal slang term, derived from 'corazón', to express that something deeply affects your emotions.
A bright red heart shape centered on a soft blue background.

Examples

Esa canción me llega al cora.

That song really touches my heart.

Te lo digo de cora, de verdad.

I'm telling you from the heart, truly.

Tengo el cora roto por lo que pasó.

My heart is broken because of what happened.

Shortened Words

Spanish speakers often shorten long words in casual speech. 'Cora' is just a shorter, cooler way to say 'corazón'.

Gender Consistency

Even though it ends in 'a', it stays masculine (el cora) because it comes from the masculine word 'el corazón'.

Wrong Gender

Mistake: “la cora (when meaning heart)”

Correction: el cora. Since 'corazón' is masculine, its nickname is masculine too!

alma

al-mahˈalma

NounB2Figurative
Use this figurative term to represent the soul, spirit, or essential character of something, like a place or an art form.
A close-up of a large, stylized, vibrant red and yellow flower. The central disk of the flower is glowing intensely, symbolizing the essential core or essence.

Examples

El jazz es el alma de Nueva Orleans.

Jazz is the soul/essence of New Orleans.

El alma de nuestro negocio es la atención al cliente.

The core of our business is customer service.

seno

SEH-nohˈseno

nounB2Medical/Figurative
Use this to refer to the inner part of something, specifically in a medical context for 'breast' or in a more abstract sense for the 'bosom' of a group.
A close-up illustration of a mother holding a baby to her chest.

Examples

Es importante realizarse chequeos para prevenir el cáncer de seno.

It is important to have check-ups to prevent breast cancer.

Creció en el seno de una familia muy unida.

He grew up in the heart of a very close-knit family.

La propuesta fue debatida en el seno del gobierno.

The proposal was debated within the government.

Using 'seno' for groups

When you want to say something happened 'within' a group or organization, use the phrase 'en el seno de'. It sounds more formal and sophisticated than just saying 'dentro de'.

Seno vs. Pecho

Mistake: “Using 'seno' to describe a man's chest.”

Correction: Use 'pecho' for a man's chest. 'Seno' usually refers to female breasts in a medical context or the internal 'heart' of a group.

médula

nounC1Figurative/Formal
Use this specialized term to indicate the very essence or core of a problem or argument, implying deep insight.

Examples

Ese argumento llega a la médula del problema.

That argument gets to the core of the problem.

esencia

eh-SEHN-syaheˈsen.θja

nounC1Figurative/Abstract
Use this to describe the fundamental nature, spirit, or central meaning of something abstract.
A simplified illustration of a vibrant red apple cut in half, showing a small, glowing core at its center, symbolizing its fundamental nature.

Examples

La esencia de su filosofía es la simplicidad.

The essence of his philosophy is simplicity.

En esencia, todos buscamos la felicidad.

In essence, we are all looking for happiness.

Perder la esencia de uno mismo es el mayor miedo.

Losing one's true self is the greatest fear.

Gender Rule

Since 'esencia' ends in -cia, it is always a feminine noun and uses feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., 'la esencia pura').

Corazón vs. Centro/Núcleo

Learners often mistakenly use 'corazón' when referring to the figurative 'center' or 'core' of a non-emotional concept. Remember that 'centro' and 'núcleo' are better choices for the central part of a city, an issue, or a group, while 'corazón' is primarily for the physical organ and emotions, or metaphorically for the heart of a city.

Related Translations

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