Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Arm in Spanish
Brazo · noun · BRAH-soh
The body part "arm" is "brazo" in Spanish, a masculine noun. The forearm is "antebrazo." The unrelated meaning of arm (weapon) is "arma," an entirely different word.
Pronounced BRAH-soh. The z in most Latin American dialects sounds like an s, while in central Spain it is pronounced like the th in "think."
Se rompió el brazo jugando al fútbol.
He broke his arm playing soccer.
Arm in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for arm, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| brazo | arm | BRAH-soh | Default, widely understood |
| antebrazo | arm | forearm specifically | |
| arma | arm | arm as in weapon (feminine noun, uses el in singular) |
How Native Speakers Use Brazo
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Body description
Levanta los brazos por encima de la cabeza.
Raise your arms above your head.
Plural "brazos" is used when referring to both arms.
Injury
Tiene un tatuaje en el antebrazo derecho.
He has a tattoo on his right forearm.
"Antebrazo" specifically means the lower part of the arm, from elbow to wrist.
Figurative use
Ella es mi brazo derecho en la empresa.
She is my right-hand person in the company.
"Brazo derecho" is an idiom meaning someone's most trusted assistant.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Brazo
Confusing brazo with arma
Incorrect: Los soldados llevaban brazos de fuego.
Correct: Los soldados llevaban armas de fuego.
"Brazo" is the body part. "Arma" means weapon. "Armas de fuego" is the correct term for firearms.
Article for arma
Incorrect: La arma estaba sobre la mesa.
Correct: El arma estaba sobre la mesa.
"Arma" is feminine but takes the masculine article "el" in the singular because it begins with a stressed a. In the plural, it reverts to the feminine: "las armas."
Lock in Arm Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Brazo used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using brazo in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Se rompió el brazo jugando al fútbol. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Arm in Spanish
- What is the plural of brazo?
- The plural is "brazos." It follows the standard rule: add -s to nouns ending in a vowel. For example, "Cruzó los brazos" means "He crossed his arms."
- How do you say forearm in Spanish?
- Forearm is "antebrazo," a compound of "ante" (before) and "brazo" (arm). It refers to the section between the elbow and the wrist.
- Why does arma use el instead of la?
- Spanish feminine nouns beginning with a stressed a or ha take the article "el" in the singular to avoid the awkward vowel collision of "la a-." The noun remains grammatically feminine: adjectives and plural articles stay feminine ("las armas peligrosas").