Inklingo

How to Say "legs" in Spanish

English → Spanish

piernas

/pee-EHR-nahs//'pjeɾnas/

nounA1general
Use 'piernas' when referring to the limbs that humans use for walking, running, or standing.
A simplistic storybook illustration showing the lower half of a person's body: two legs wearing blue trousers and brown shoes, mid-stride on a grassy path.

Examples

Me duelen las piernas después de correr diez kilómetros.

My legs hurt after running ten kilometers.

Ella tiene piernas largas y fuertes, perfectas para el ciclismo.

She has long, strong legs, perfect for cycling.

Necesitamos estirar las piernas antes de seguir conduciendo.

We need to stretch our legs before continuing to drive.

Feminine Plural Noun

Since this word ends in '-as,' it is always a feminine plural noun. You must use the feminine article 'las' (the) before it.

Using the Singular

Mistake: “Using 'pierna' when referring to both legs.”

Correction: When talking about both of your limbs, or when talking about having a quick walk, always use the plural 'piernas' (las piernas, mis piernas).

patas

PAH-tas/ˈpatas/

nounA1general
Use 'patas' for the limbs of animals (like dogs or cats) or for the supports of furniture (like tables or chairs).
A close-up illustration of the four wooden legs of a simple chair standing on a floor.

Examples

El perro movió sus patas con alegría al vernos.

The dog moved its paws happily when it saw us.

Necesitamos arreglar una de las patas de la silla.

We need to fix one of the legs of the chair.

Gender Consistency

Even when referring to inanimate objects like tables, 'patas' is always feminine because the singular word 'pata' is feminine.

lágrimas

nounB2specific (wine)
Use 'lágrimas' specifically to describe the streaks or 'legs' that form on the inside of a wine glass, indicating alcohol content.

Examples

El vino tiene buenas 'lágrimas', lo que indica alta graduación.

The wine has good 'legs' (or 'tears'), which indicates high alcohol content.

Human vs. Animal/Furniture Legs

The most common mistake is using 'piernas' for animals or furniture. Remember that 'piernas' is exclusively for human legs, while 'patas' covers both animal limbs and furniture supports.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.