Inklingo

How to Say "painting" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cuadro

/KWAA-droh//ˈkwaðɾo/

nounA1General
Use this word when referring to a framed piece of art, typically one that hangs on a wall.
A colorful landscape painting hanging inside a square wooden frame on a plain wall.

Examples

Compramos un cuadro muy bonito para la sala.

We bought a very beautiful painting for the living room.

El museo tiene un cuadro famoso de Goya.

The museum has a famous painting by Goya.

Gender Check

Remember that 'cuadro' is always masculine, even though it ends in '-o'. You must use 'el cuadro' or 'un cuadro'.

pintura

peen-TOO-rah/pinˈtuɾa/

nounA2/B1General
Use this word for a general piece of art (like in a collection) or, more specifically, for the act or job of applying paint, such as on a car or a house.
A finished, colorful, abstract painting depicting a sun and a tree, resting on a wooden easel.

Examples

Fuimos al museo a ver la nueva colección de pinturas.

We went to the museum to see the new collection of paintings.

Esta pintura abstracta es mi favorita.

This abstract painting is my favorite.

La pintura del coche es muy costosa.

The painting (job) of the car is very expensive.

Contrataron a un equipo para la pintura exterior de la escuela.

They hired a team for the exterior painting of the school.

Artwork vs. Frame

While 'pintura' refers to the artwork itself, 'cuadro' often implies the artwork plus the frame, or a general framed picture.

Action vs. Result

In this sense, 'pintura' refers to the activity itself, similar to how 'lectura' means 'reading' (the activity).

pintura

peen-TOO-rah/pinˈtuɾa/

nounB1General
Use this word when referring to the physical substance of paint or the process/job of painting something.
A finished, colorful, abstract painting depicting a sun and a tree, resting on a wooden easel.

Examples

La pintura del coche es muy costosa.

The painting (job) of the car is very expensive.

Fuimos al museo a ver la nueva colección de pinturas.

We went to the museum to see the new collection of paintings.

Esta pintura abstracta es mi favorita.

This abstract painting is my favorite.

Contrataron a un equipo para la pintura exterior de la escuela.

They hired a team for the exterior painting of the school.

Artwork vs. Frame

While 'pintura' refers to the artwork itself, 'cuadro' often implies the artwork plus the frame, or a general framed picture.

Action vs. Result

In this sense, 'pintura' refers to the activity itself, similar to how 'lectura' means 'reading' (the activity).

Artwork vs. The Act of Painting

The most common confusion is between 'cuadro' and 'pintura' when referring to artwork. Remember that 'cuadro' specifically means a framed piece of art, while 'pintura' is more general and can also refer to the act of painting or the substance itself.

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