Inklingo

How to Say "horn" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cuerno

/KWER-noh//ˈkweɾno/

nounA2general
Use 'cuerno' when referring to the hard, pointed growth found on the heads of animals like cattle, goats, or rhinoceroses.
A close-up of a single, curved, pointed horn from a bull or goat.

Examples

El rinoceronte tiene un cuerno muy largo.

The rhinoceros has a very long horn.

Este peine está hecho de cuerno de buey.

This comb is made of ox horn.

Making it Plural

Since it ends in a vowel, just add -s: 'los cuernos'.

Horns vs. Trumpets

Mistake: “Using 'cuerno' for a modern musical horn.”

Correction: Use 'trompa' or 'corno francés' for the musical instrument; 'cuerno' usually refers to the animal part or a primitive bugle.

instrumento

een-stroo-MEN-toh/instɾuˈmento/

nounA2general
Use 'instrumento' when referring to a musical instrument that produces sound when blown into, such as a French horn or a bugle. This is a less common usage for 'horn'.
A simple, detailed illustration of a brown wooden violin and its bow resting on a soft surface.

Examples

Mi instrumento favorito es el piano, pero toco la trompa.

My favorite instrument is the piano, but I play the French horn.

Mi instrumento favorito es el piano, pero toco la guitarra.

My favorite instrument is the piano, but I play the guitar.

Ella necesita un estuche nuevo para proteger su instrumento.

She needs a new case to protect her instrument.

Hay muchos tipos de instrumentos de cuerda y de viento.

There are many types of string and wind instruments.

Confusing Animal Horns with Musical Instruments

The most common mistake is using 'cuerno' for a musical instrument. Remember that 'instrumento' is the general word for any musical instrument, and if you need to be specific about a horn instrument, you'll often use a more precise term like 'trompa' (French horn) rather than just 'instrumento'.

Related Translations

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