Spanish Conversation · Level 19
90 words
Spanish word
cara
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈkaɾa/
Meaning
- feminine nounface
Example
Lávate la cara.
Wash your face.
More examples
Antes de acostarte, lávate la cara.
Before you go to bed, wash your face.
Core concept
Visible part of the head showing facial features and conveying appearance.
Common phrases
lavarse la cara
wash your face
Similar words
rostro: Front part of the head with eyes, nose, and mouth, used in formal or literary contexts.
expresión: Facial display of emotion or feeling.
perfil: Outline of the face seen from the side.
rasgo: Distinctive facial feature such as an eye, nose, or mouth.
Definition in Spanish
Zona anterior de la cabeza que incluye los ojos, la nariz y la boca; también se usa para referirse a la apariencia o a las expresiones de esa zona.
Word origin
Spanish cara derives from Vulgar and Late Latin roots for 'face', evolving through the Romance languages into the modern noun while remaining distinct from the adjective caro ('dear/expensive').
Usage tips
- Common set phrases include lavarse la cara, poner buena cara and dar la cara, so context often decides whether cara refers to the physical face or to an expression/attitude.