Inklingo

How to Say "mole" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “mole” is “lunar” — use 'lunar' for a small spot or mark on the skin, like a beauty mark or birthmark..

English → Spanish

lunar

/loo-NAHR//luˈnaɾ/

nounA2general
Use 'lunar' for a small spot or mark on the skin, like a beauty mark or birthmark.
A simple illustration of a patch of light-colored skin, possibly a cheek or arm, featuring a single, small, dark brown mole.

Examples

Tiene un lunar en la mejilla que le da un aire bohemio.

She has a mole on her cheek that gives her a bohemian look.

Mi abuela tiene un lunar grande justo debajo del ojo.

My grandmother has a large mole right under her eye.

Ella se dibujó un pequeño lunar con lápiz para verse más elegante.

She drew a small beauty mark with a pencil to look more elegant.

Hay que revisar los lunares que cambian de forma.

You have to check moles that change shape.

Gender Reminder

Even though it ends in '-ar', this noun is masculine: 'el lunar.' Remember to use 'un' or 'el' with it.

topo

/TOH-poh//ˈtopo/

nounA2general
Use 'topo' when referring to the small, burrowing mammal that lives underground.
A small brown mole with a pink nose and large claws peeking out from a mound of dirt in a green field.

Examples

El jardinero está harto de los topos que arruinan el césped.

The gardener is fed up with the moles that ruin the lawn.

Hay un topo haciendo túneles en mi jardín.

There is a mole making tunnels in my garden.

Los topos tienen una vista muy débil.

Moles have very weak eyesight.

La policía cree que hay un topo en la banda.

The police believe there is a mole in the gang.

One Gender for Both Sexes

In Spanish, the word 'topo' is always masculine. To specify a female mole, you say 'el topo hembra' rather than changing the word to 'topa'.

Moles on the Skin

Mistake: “Using 'topo' to describe a beauty mark or mole on your face.”

Correction: Use the word 'lunar' for skin marks. 'Topo' is only for the animal, the spy, or the pattern.

topo

/TOH-poh//ˈtopo/

nounB2informal
Use 'topo' to mean a spy or informant who is secretly working within an organization.
A small brown mole with a pink nose and large claws peeking out from a mound of dirt in a green field.

Examples

Sospechan que hay un topo dentro del equipo de seguridad.

They suspect there is a mole within the security team.

Hay un topo haciendo túneles en mi jardín.

There is a mole making tunnels in my garden.

Los topos tienen una vista muy débil.

Moles have very weak eyesight.

La policía cree que hay un topo en la banda.

The police believe there is a mole in the gang.

One Gender for Both Sexes

In Spanish, the word 'topo' is always masculine. To specify a female mole, you say 'el topo hembra' rather than changing the word to 'topa'.

Moles on the Skin

Mistake: “Using 'topo' to describe a beauty mark or mole on your face.”

Correction: Use the word 'lunar' for skin marks. 'Topo' is only for the animal, the spy, or the pattern.

Confusing the Animal with the Spy

Learners often mistakenly use 'lunar' for both the animal and the spy, but 'topo' is the correct word for both the burrowing creature and the undercover informant. Remember, 'lunar' is strictly for skin marks.

Related Translations

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