Spanish word

cintura

Pronunciation

IPA/θinˈtuɾa/

Meaning

  • feminine nounwaist

Example

Me duele la cintura.

My waist hurts.

Illustration for cintura (waist)

More examples

¿Puedes medir mi cintura, por favor?

Can you measure my waist, please?

Core concept

Belted midsection between the ribs and the hips.

Common phrases

  • medir la cintura

    measure the waist

  • cintura estrecha

    narrow waist

Similar words

cadera: Rounded outer pelvic area at the side of the lower torso where the thigh joins the body.
barriga: Soft front portion of the abdomen that commonly bulges into a belly or paunch.
espalda: Broad rear surface of the torso extending from the shoulders down to the hips.

Definition in Spanish

Parte del cuerpo situada entre las costillas y las caderas; también la medida alrededor de esa zona para la ropa.

Word origin

From Latin cingere "to gird" via cingulum "belt", originally naming the place where a belt fastens and thus the body's waist.

Usage tips

  • When speakers say 'Me duele la cintura' they commonly mean pain in the lower back or waist area, while la espalda baja or la zona lumbar refers specifically to the lower back.

Other meanings

  • waistlinenoun

Related words

  • cinturillawaistlinenoun

Word lists with this word