Inklingo

How to Say "nerve" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “nerve” is “agallas” — use 'agallas' when referring to general courage, guts, or daring, especially when facing a difficult or intimidating situation..

agallas🔊B2

Use 'agallas' when referring to general courage, guts, or daring, especially when facing a difficult or intimidating situation.

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valor🔊B1

Use 'valor' for a more general sense of courage or strength, often in a situation requiring bravery, like climbing a mountain or facing danger.

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bolas🔊B2

Use 'bolas' colloquially to express audacity or boldness, similar to 'guts' or 'balls' in English, often when someone is being defiant or cheeky.

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huevo🔊B2

Use 'huevo' informally to mean boldness or guts, often implying a need to put more effort or courage into a task to succeed.

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hígado🔊B2

Use 'hígado' to describe significant audacity or nerve, often when facing a particularly tough or unpleasant situation that requires strong resolve.

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arresto🔊C1

Use 'arresto' for audacity or boldness, often implying a lack of courage when someone fails to act, particularly in confessing or admitting fault.

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English → Spanish

agallas

ah-GAH-yas/aˈɣaʎas/

nounB2informal
Use 'agallas' when referring to general courage, guts, or daring, especially when facing a difficult or intimidating situation.
A tiny, brave mouse standing confidently on the ground before a large, gentle dog, symbolizing courage.

Examples

Para enfrentarte a ese jefe, necesitas tener muchas agallas.

To face that boss, you need to have a lot of guts.

No tuvo las agallas de decirle la verdad.

He didn't have the nerve (or guts) to tell her the truth.

Ella demostró sus agallas al saltar en paracaídas por primera vez.

She showed her grit by skydiving for the first time.

Always Plural

This figurative meaning is almost always used in the plural form: 'las agallas'. You rarely hear 'una agalla' in this context.

Confusing Gills and Courage

Mistake: “Using 'agallas' in a formal or technical setting when referring to courage (e.g., in a legal report).”

Correction: Use 'valentía' or 'coraje' for formal contexts; save 'agallas' for casual conversation.

valor

vah-LOR/baˈloɾ/

nounB1
Use 'valor' for a more general sense of courage or strength, often in a situation requiring bravery, like climbing a mountain or facing danger.
A small child stands bravely and confidently, holding their chin up while facing a very large, non-threatening shadow of a creature in a dimly lit room.

Examples

Necesitas mucho valor para subir esa montaña.

You need a lot of courage to climb that mountain.

Demostró gran valor al ayudar a las víctimas del incendio.

He showed great bravery by helping the fire victims.

La niña tuvo el valor de confesar la verdad.

The girl had the courage to confess the truth.

Using 'Tener'

When you want to say someone 'has courage,' always use the verb 'tener' (to have): 'Tengo valor' (I have courage).

Mixing Adjective/Noun

Mistake: “Soy valor.”

Correction: Soy valiente. (Valor is the noun [courage]; Valiente is the adjective [brave]. You must say 'I am brave' using the adjective.)

bolas

BOH-lahs/ˈbo.las/

nounB2very informal
Use 'bolas' colloquially to express audacity or boldness, similar to 'guts' or 'balls' in English, often when someone is being defiant or cheeky.
A tiny, determined squirrel standing confidently at the base of a gigantic oak tree, ready to climb, symbolizing courage.

Examples

Tienes que tener bolas para decirle eso al jefe.

You have to have guts (or 'balls') to say that to the boss.

¡Qué bolas las tuyas! ¿Cómo hiciste eso?

What nerve you have! How did you do that?

High-Risk Word

This meaning is highly vulgar in many Spanish-speaking areas. Use with caution and only among close friends in very informal settings.

huevo

OO-EH-voh/ˈweβo/

nounB2very informal
Use 'huevo' informally to mean boldness or guts, often implying a need to put more effort or courage into a task to succeed.
A tiny, determined mouse standing confidently on the edge of a large, steep wooden step, illustrating bravery.

Examples

Tienes que echarle más huevos a este proyecto si quieres terminarlo a tiempo.

You have to put more effort/guts into this project if you want to finish it on time.

Se necesita mucho huevo para decirle la verdad a tu jefe.

It takes a lot of guts to tell your boss the truth.

Using 'Echarle'

The phrase 'echarle huevos' (to put guts into it) means to apply intense effort or dedication. It's often used reflexively or with 'le' referring to the task.

hígado

EE-gah-doh/ˈi.ɣa.ðo/

nounB2informal
Use 'hígado' to describe significant audacity or nerve, often when facing a particularly tough or unpleasant situation that requires strong resolve.
A tiny, determined mouse standing confidently on the peak of a small green hill, symbolizing great courage or 'guts.'

Examples

Hay que tener mucho hígado para enfrentarse a esa situación.

You have to have a lot of guts/nerve to face that situation.

Mi jefe tiene un hígado terrible; se enoja por todo.

My boss has a terrible temper; he gets angry about everything. (Less common usage)

Idiomatic Use

When used figuratively, 'hígado' almost always appears in the phrase 'tener hígado' (to have guts or nerve).

arresto

/ah-RREHS-toh//aˈrresto/

nounC1
Use 'arresto' for audacity or boldness, often implying a lack of courage when someone fails to act, particularly in confessing or admitting fault.
A small figure standing confidently and bravely on a high, rocky mountain peak, looking out over a vast landscape, symbolizing courage.

Examples

No tuvo los arrestos para confesar su error.

He didn't have the nerve (or guts) to confess his mistake.

Se necesita mucho arresto para iniciar un negocio así.

It takes a lot of spirit to start a business like that.

Figurative Plural

When used to mean 'courage' or 'guts,' it is very commonly used in the plural form: 'los arrestos'.

Informal vs. Formal Courage

Learners often confuse the very informal terms like 'bolas' and 'huevos' with more neutral terms like 'valor' or 'arresto'. While 'agallas' is also informal, it's more widely understood for general guts. Use 'valor' for general bravery and reserve the others for specific, often more confrontational or colloquial, situations.

Related Translations

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