Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Chin in Spanish: Barbilla, Mentón, and When to Use Each
Barbilla · noun (feminine) · bar-BEE-yah
The most common Spanish translation of chin is barbilla (feminine). The synonym mentón (masculine) is equally correct but tends to appear in medical descriptions and formal writing.
Barbilla: bar-BEE-yah — stress on the second syllable, the ll sounds like a 'y.' Mentón: men-TOHN — stress on the final syllable.
Apoya la barbilla en la mano.
Rest your chin on your hand.
Chin in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for chin, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| barbilla | chin | bar-BEE-yah | Default, widely understood |
| mentón | chin | formal/medical — also used in literature | |
| pera | chin | colloquial in some regions of Spain |
How Native Speakers Use Barbilla
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Everyday description
Tiene una cicatriz pequeña en la barbilla.
He has a small scar on his chin.
Barbilla is the natural choice when casually describing someone's face.
Medical context
El doctor examinó el mentón del paciente después del golpe.
The doctor examined the patient's chin after the blow.
In clinical settings, mentón is preferred because it sounds more technical.
Giving instructions
Levanta la barbilla y mira al frente para la foto.
Lift your chin and look straight ahead for the photo.
Common phrasing when a photographer or trainer gives directions.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Barbilla
Confusing barbilla with barba
Incorrect: Se rasca la barba. (meaning chin, not beard)
Correct: Se rasca la barbilla.
Barba means beard. Barbilla specifically means the chin — the bony point of the jaw. They share a root but are not interchangeable.
Wrong gender with mentón
Incorrect: La mentón está hinchada.
Correct: El mentón está hinchado.
Mentón is masculine (el mentón). Adjectives must match: hinchado, not hinchada.
Lock in Chin 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 Barbilla used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using barbilla in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Apoya la barbilla en la mano. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Chin in Spanish
- Should I learn barbilla or mentón?
- Learn barbilla first — it is what you will hear in daily conversation. Mentón is good to recognize for reading or medical visits.
- Is there a verb related to barbilla?
- Not directly. However, the phrase doble mentón or papada both refer to a double chin. Papada is the more colloquial term.
- How do I say 'double chin' in Spanish?
- The most common term is papada. You may also hear doble mentón in beauty or fitness contexts.