Inklingo

How to Say "spine" in Spanish

English → Spanish

columna

koh-LOOM-nahkoˈlumna

nounB1anatomical
Use 'columna' when referring to the anatomical backbone or spinal column.
A simplified, stylized depiction of a human spinal column showing individual vertebrae stacked vertically.

Examples

Tengo un dolor en la columna que no me deja dormir.

I have a pain in my spine that won't let me sleep.

La columna vertebral protege la médula espinal.

The spinal column protects the spinal cord.

Vertebral vs. Solo Columna

When talking about the backbone, Spanish often uses the full phrase 'columna vertebral' (vertebral column), but in casual conversation, just 'columna' is understood.

lomo

LO-moˈlomo

nounA2general
Use 'lomo' to describe the back of an animal, like a cat arching its back, or the spine of a book.
The strong, arched back of a brown horse standing in a field.

Examples

El gato arqueó el lomo cuando vio al perro.

The cat arched its back when it saw the dog.

El título del libro aparece en el lomo.

The book's title appears on the spine.

Cargaron las cajas a lomo de mula.

They loaded the boxes on the mule's back.

Using 'A lomo'

When you want to say something is carried on an animal, use the phrase 'a lomo de'.

Book parts

Mistake: “La espalda del libro.”

Correction: El lomo del libro.

espina

ess-PEE-nahesˈpina

nounB2anatomical/figurative
Use 'espina' specifically when referring to the 'espina dorsal' (spinal column) or figuratively, as in 'mala espina', meaning a bad feeling or distrust.
A person looking over their shoulder with a worried expression and a dark cloud above their head.

Examples

Ese hombre me da mala espina.

That man gives me a bad feeling / I don't trust him.

Tengo la espina de que algo va a salir mal.

I have a nagging feeling that something is going to go wrong.

La espina dorsal protege la médula espinal.

The spine protects the spinal cord.

Figurative Use

When used figuratively to mean 'feeling,' it almost always appears with 'mala' (bad).

Confusing 'columna' and 'espina'

Learners often confuse 'columna' and 'espina' because both can relate to the spine. Remember that 'columna' is the standard term for the anatomical backbone, while 'espina' is less common for the physical spine and more often used in the idiom 'mala espina' for a bad feeling.

Related Translations

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