How do you say 'lipstick' in Spanish?

Lipstick has several translations depending on the region: 'labial' (Mexico, general), 'pintalabios' (Spain), 'lápiz labial' (formal/universal), and 'rouge' (some South American countries), all referring to the same cosmetic product for coloring the lips.

What does 'de labios para afuera' mean?

The expression 'de labios para afuera' means to say something insincerely or without truly meaning it—similar to English 'lip service'—implying that the words don't go deeper than the lips and aren't backed by genuine feeling or intention.

Is 'labio' masculine or feminine?

Labio is masculine (el labio, los labios), which sometimes surprises learners because it ends in 'o' as expected for masculine nouns, but people occasionally hesitate because lips are a body part on the face—regardless, it consistently takes masculine articles and adjectives.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

How to Say Lips in Spanish

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

Labios · noun · LAH-bee-ohs

Lips in Spanish is 'labios' (singular: labio). The word is masculine and refers to both the upper lip (labio superior) and lower lip (labio inferior). 'Labios' appears frequently in beauty contexts, romantic expressions, and medical terminology. The related adjective 'labial' is used in cosmetics (labial = lipstick in some regions).

Say LAH-bee-ohs for the plural, with stress on the first syllable. The singular 'labio' is LAH-bee-oh. The 'b' is soft between vowels, produced with barely-touching lips—appropriate given the word's meaning.

Necesito bálsamo porque tengo los labios muy resecos.

I need lip balm because my lips are very dry.

Lips in Spanish: Quick Reference

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

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
labios	lips	LAH-bee-ohs	Default, widely understood
boca	lips		mouth (sometimes used for lips colloquially)

How Native Speakers Use Labios

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

Beauty routine

Me puse labial rojo para la fiesta de esta noche.

I put on red lipstick for tonight's party.

Using 'labial' as the noun for lipstick, derived from 'labios.'

Physical description

Tiene los labios gruesos y una sonrisa muy bonita.

She has full lips and a very pretty smile.

Describing facial features in a complimentary way.

Health concern

Mis labios están agrietados por el frío del invierno.

My lips are chapped from the winter cold.

Discussing a common health issue during cold weather.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Labios

Using 'lipes' as a false cognate

Incorrect: Me duelen los lipes.

Correct: Me duelen los labios.

There is no word 'lipes' in Spanish. The correct term is 'labios,' derived from the Latin 'labium.' English speakers should not try to hispanicize 'lips.'

Confusing singular and plural context

Incorrect: Me mordí el labios.

Correct: Me mordí el labio.

When referring to biting one lip (a single action on one lip), use the singular 'labio.' 'Labios' (plural) is for both lips together or lips in general.

Lock in Lips 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 Labios used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using labios in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Necesito bálsamo porque tengo los labios muy resecos. 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 Lips in Spanish

How do you say 'lipstick' in Spanish?: Lipstick has several translations depending on the region: 'labial' (Mexico, general), 'pintalabios' (Spain), 'lápiz labial' (formal/universal), and 'rouge' (some South American countries), all referring to the same cosmetic product for coloring the lips.
What does 'de labios para afuera' mean?: The expression 'de labios para afuera' means to say something insincerely or without truly meaning it—similar to English 'lip service'—implying that the words don't go deeper than the lips and aren't backed by genuine feeling or intention.
Is 'labio' masculine or feminine?: Labio is masculine (el labio, los labios), which sometimes surprises learners because it ends in 'o' as expected for masculine nouns, but people occasionally hesitate because lips are a body part on the face—regardless, it consistently takes masculine articles and adjectives.