Spanish vocabulary · Intermediate
How to Say Jaw in Spanish: Mandíbula & Quijada
Mandíbula · noun (feminine) · mahn-DEE-boo-lah
Jaw in Spanish is mandíbula, the anatomical term for the lower jawbone. In Mexico and parts of Central America, quijada is equally common in everyday speech. In medical contexts, maxilar refers to the upper jaw (maxilla), while mandíbula is the lower jaw.
mahn-DEE-boo-lah — four syllables, stress on the second (esdrújula word). The accent is always written on the í.
Me duele la mandíbula cuando mastico.
My jaw hurts when I chew.
Jaw in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for jaw, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| mandíbula | jaw | mahn-DEE-boo-lah | Default, widely understood |
| quijada | jaw | common in Mexico and Central America | |
| maxilar | jaw | medical/anatomical term |
How Native Speakers Use Mandíbula
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Pain description
El dentista dijo que tengo tensión en la mandíbula.
The dentist said I have tension in my jaw.
Mandíbula is the term dentists and doctors use across all Spanish-speaking countries.
Regional variant
Se me trabó la quijada al bostezar.
My jaw locked when I yawned.
Quijada is widely understood and preferred in casual speech in Mexico.
Anatomy class
El maxilar superior no se mueve; la mandíbula sí.
The upper jaw doesn't move; the lower jaw does.
In anatomy, maxilar (superior) is the upper jaw and mandíbula is the lower, moveable jaw.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Mandíbula
Confusing mandíbula with mejilla
Incorrect: Me golpeé la mandíbula. (pointing at cheek)
Correct: Me golpeé la mejilla. (cheek) / Me golpeé la mandíbula. (jawbone)
Mandíbula is the jawbone. Mejilla is the cheek (soft tissue). They are adjacent but anatomically distinct.
Using jaw-like false cognate
Incorrect: Me duele el jaw.
Correct: Me duele la mandíbula / la quijada.
There is no Spanish cognate of jaw. Use mandíbula (universal) or quijada (common in Mexico).
Lock in Jaw 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 Mandíbula used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using mandíbula in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Me duele la mandíbula cuando mastico. 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 Jaw in Spanish
- How do you say jaw in Spanish?
- Jaw in Spanish is mandíbula (standard) or quijada (common in Mexico and Central America). Both refer to the lower jawbone.
- What is the difference between mandíbula and quijada?
- They mean the same thing — the lower jaw. Mandíbula is more formal and universal; quijada is colloquial and regional, especially popular in Mexico.
- How do you say jawline in Spanish?
- Jawline is línea de la mandíbula or simply mandíbula when discussing facial features. In beauty contexts, you may hear contorno mandibular.