Inklingo

How to Say "phrase" in Spanish

English → Spanish

frase

FRAH-seh/ˈfɾase/

nounA1general
Use 'frase' when referring to a short, simple group of words that forms a basic unit of thought or a sentence, especially in a learning context.
A small, friendly blue bird sitting on a branch. Three distinct, colorful, geometric shapes (a circle, a square, and a triangle) are floating together in a connected chain, emanating from the bird's beak, representing a short phrase.

Examples

Por favor, repite esta frase lentamente.

Please repeat this phrase slowly.

Escribe una frase sencilla en el cuaderno.

Write a simple sentence in the notebook.

Esta frase tiene un error de puntuación.

This phrase has a punctuation error.

Necesito aprender algunas frases básicas para el viaje.

I need to learn some basic phrases for the trip.

Gender Check

Remember that 'frase' is feminine, so you must use 'la frase' or 'una frase'.

Frase vs. Oración

Mistake: “Using 'frase' when referring specifically to a complete thought with a subject and verb, especially in grammar class.”

Correction: While 'frase' is fine in everyday talk, technically, 'oración' is the word for a complete grammatical sentence. Think of 'frase' as the general term for 'a group of words.'

expresión

nounA2general
Use 'expresión' when referring to a specific saying, idiom, or a well-known way of saying something that carries a particular meaning beyond the literal words.

Examples

Me encanta esa expresión coloquial que usas.

I love that colloquial expression you use.

Frase vs. Expresión

Learners often confuse 'frase' and 'expresión'. Remember that 'frase' is a basic building block, like a sentence fragment or simple sentence, while 'expresión' refers to a more established saying or idiom.

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