Spanish Conversation · Level 109
60 words
Spanish word
terso
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈteɾso/
Meaning
- adjectivesmooth
Example
La piel está tersa.
The skin is smooth.
More examples
Después del tratamiento, mi rostro quedó terso.
After the treatment, my face became smooth.
Core concept
A surface without bumps, smooth to the touch.
Common phrases
piel tersa
smooth skin
manos tersas
smooth hands
rostro terso
smooth face
Similar words
liso: Flat and even to the touch, offering a slippery or low-friction surface.
suave: Soft and gentle to the touch, giving a cushiony, yielding feel.
Definition in Spanish
Que tiene la superficie lisa y sin asperezas, especialmente al tacto.
Word origin
From Latin tersus via Vulgar Latin, originally the past participle of tergere 'to wipe', carrying the idea of something rubbed clean or polished.
Usage tips
- Emphasizes absence of roughness or a polished finish rather than general softness, so it differs from suave which can mean gentle or pleasant.