Spanish word

callo

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈkaʝo/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncallus

Example

Me salió un callo en el pie.

I got a callus on my foot.

Illustration for callo (callus)

More examples

Si no tratas el callo, puede doler al caminar.

If you don't treat the callus, it may hurt when you walk.

Core concept

Thick, hardened patch of skin caused by repeated rubbing or pressure.

Common phrases

  • formarse un callo

    get a callus

  • tener un callo en el pie

    have a callus on the foot

  • quitar un callo

    remove a callus

Similar words

callosidad: Broad area of thickened, hardened skin that develops from chronic friction or pressure.
ampolla: Fluid-filled blister that forms on or under the skin after rubbing, burning, or injury.
juanete: Bony bump at the base of the big toe with a protruding joint and surrounding bone deformity.

Definition in Spanish

Piel dura y engrosada que aparece por presión o roce repetido, habitual en pies y manos.

Word origin

From Latin callus 'hard skin', which passed into medieval Spanish and became callo to denote the localized skin thickening produced by friction or pressure.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, tener callos often functions as a metaphor for having experience or being hardened, so context determines whether it is literal skin or figurative toughness.

Other meanings

  • cornnoun

Opposites

  • piel suavesoft skinnoun

Related words

  • callosidadcallositynoun
  • callosocallusedadjective

Word lists with this word