Inklingo

How to Say "paintings" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cuadros

KWAH-dros/ˈkwaðɾos/

nounA1art on a wall
Use 'cuadros' when referring to framed pieces of art hanging on a wall, like those you might buy to decorate a room.
A simple, brightly colored wall featuring three distinct framed paintings hanging evenly.

Examples

Compramos unos cuadros muy bonitos para decorar la sala.

We bought some very beautiful paintings to decorate the living room.

El museo exhibe cuadros del siglo dieciocho.

The museum exhibits pictures from the eighteenth century.

Masculine Plural

Remember that 'cuadros' is the plural of 'el cuadro,' so it is always masculine and requires masculine articles ('los') and adjectives ('bonitos').

pinturas

peen-TOO-ras/pinˈtuɾas/

nounA2finished works of art
Use 'pinturas' when referring to the finished works of art themselves, especially when discussing artistic styles or the medium used.
Two framed finished artworks hanging side-by-side on a wall. One is a landscape, and the other is a still life.

Examples

Las pinturas abstractas son difíciles de entender a veces.

Abstract paintings are sometimes difficult to understand.

El museo exhibe pinturas de artistas famosos del siglo XX.

The museum exhibits paintings by famous 20th-century artists.

Art vs. Material

When 'pinturas' means 'paintings' (the finished art), it usually refers to multiple, separate pieces you can count. When it means 'paint' (the substance), it often refers to different types or containers of the material.

Cuadros vs. Pinturas

Learners often confuse 'cuadros' and 'pinturas'. Remember that 'cuadros' specifically refers to framed art on a wall, while 'pinturas' is a more general term for the artwork itself, often highlighting the artistic creation.

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