Inklingo

How to Say "physique" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cuerpo

KWER-po'kweɾpo

nounA1general
Use 'cuerpo' when referring to the entire body, especially in contexts related to health, pain, or general physical presence, rather than just its shape.
A simple, stylized illustration of a complete, standing human figure, showing the head, torso, and limbs.

Examples

Me duele todo el cuerpo después de hacer ejercicio.

My whole body hurts after exercising.

Es importante mantener el cuerpo hidratado.

It's important to keep the body hydrated.

Always Masculine

Even though 'body' has no gender in English, 'cuerpo' is always a masculine word in Spanish. So, you'll always say 'el cuerpo' (the body) or 'un cuerpo' (a body).

físico

nounA2general
Choose 'físico' when specifically describing a person's body build or the physical appearance resulting from exercise or genetics.

Examples

Tiene un físico muy fuerte después de ir al gimnasio.

He has a very strong physique after going to the gym.

silueta

see-loo-EH-tahsiˈlweta

nounB1general
Use 'silueta' when referring to the outline or contour of a person's body, often in relation to maintaining a specific shape or figure.
A simple drawing of a person's athletic body shape standing in a neutral pose.

Examples

Ella hace mucho deporte para mantener su silueta.

She does a lot of sports to maintain her figure.

Este vestido favorece mucho tu silueta.

This dress is very flattering for your figure.

El ejercicio regular ayuda a tonificar la silueta.

Regular exercise helps to tone the physique.

Body Descriptions

In Spanish, we use 'su silueta' to talk about 'his' or 'her' figure. The word itself doesn't change based on who you are talking about.

Confusion with 'Silueta'

Mistake: “Thinking 'silueta' only means a shadow.”

Correction: Remember that in a fashion or health context, it almost always refers to a person's physical body shape.

General Body vs. Specific Build

Learners often confuse 'cuerpo' with 'físico'. Remember that 'cuerpo' refers to the whole body, while 'físico' specifically describes the body's shape and build, often implying muscularity or a certain aesthetic.

Related Translations

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