How do you say gut feeling in Spanish?

The most natural translations are corazonada and instinto, both widely understood across Spanish-speaking countries.

Is tripa the same as intestino?

Tripa is the colloquial equivalent of intestino—think of it like saying tummy instead of stomach in English.

What about the plural guts meaning courage?

When guts means courage or bravery, Spanish uses agallas or the expression tener huevos in very informal speech.

Spanish vocabulary · Intermediate

How to Say Gut in Spanish: Intestino & Tripa

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Intestino · noun (masculine) · een-tess-TEE-noh

Gut in Spanish can be intestino for the anatomical organ or tripa in everyday speech, while gut feeling translates as instinto or corazonada.

Intestino is een-tess-TEE-noh, and tripa is TREE-pah.

Confía en tu instinto, algo no está bien aquí.

Trust your gut, something isn't right here.

Gut in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for gut, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
intestino	gut	een-tess-TEE-noh	Default, widely understood
tripa	gut		colloquial, common in Spain and Mexico
instinto	gut		figurative use: gut feeling

How Native Speakers Use Intestino

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Medical context

El doctor dijo que tengo una inflamación en el intestino.

The doctor said I have inflammation in my gut.

Formal medical usage.

Gut feeling

Tengo la corazonada de que algo va a salir mal.

I have a gut feeling that something will go wrong.

Figurative meaning using corazonada.

Colloquial usage

Me duelen las tripas después de comer tanto.

My gut hurts after eating so much.

Informal, commonly used in Spain.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Intestino

Using English directly

Incorrect: Confía en tu gut feeling.

Correct: Confía en tu instinto.

Gut feeling doesn't transfer directly; use instinto or corazonada.

Wrong register

Incorrect: El cirujano operó las tripas.

Correct: El cirujano operó el intestino.

In medical contexts, intestino is appropriate; tripa is too informal.

Lock in Gut 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 Intestino used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using intestino in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Confía en tu instinto, algo no está bien aquí. 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 Gut in Spanish

How do you say gut feeling in Spanish?: The most natural translations are corazonada and instinto, both widely understood across Spanish-speaking countries.
Is tripa the same as intestino?: Tripa is the colloquial equivalent of intestino—think of it like saying tummy instead of stomach in English.
What about the plural guts meaning courage?: When guts means courage or bravery, Spanish uses agallas or the expression tener huevos in very informal speech.