Does frase mean sentence or phrase in Spanish?

Frase covers both meanings in everyday Spanish. In casual conversation, frase can refer to a complete sentence, a partial phrase, a quotation, or a saying. When precision matters in grammar or linguistics, oración is the technical term for a complete sentence, while frase can describe a smaller unit within that sentence.

How do you say 'key phrase' in Spanish?

The direct translation is frase clave, where clave means 'key' in the sense of essential or important. This term is widely used in marketing, SEO, and academic writing, much like its English counterpart.

What is the difference between frase and expresión?

Frase is the more general term and works for any string of words, from a sentence to a quotation. Expresión has a narrower focus on idiomatic phrases or ways of speaking that carry meaning beyond the individual words—for example, expresiones coloquiales are colloquial expressions unique to a region or culture.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

PHRASE in Spanish: FRASE

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

Frase · noun · FRAH-seh

The Spanish word for phrase is frase, a near-cognate that is easy to remember. Frase covers a broad range of uses: it can mean a sentence, a phrase, a saying, or even a famous quote. When referring specifically to an idiomatic expression, expresión is often a better fit. In formal linguistics, locución is the technical term for a fixed phrase or set expression. For everyday conversation and language learning, frase is the go-to word you will encounter most frequently.

FRAH-seh

Esa frase en español tiene un significado muy profundo.

That phrase in Spanish has a very deep meaning.

Phrase in Spanish: Quick Reference

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

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
frase	phrase	FRAH-seh	Default, widely understood
expresión	phrase		idiomatic expression
locución	phrase		formal/linguistic term

How Native Speakers Use Frase

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

Language learning

Aprendí una frase nueva hoy: 'más vale tarde que nunca'.

I learned a new phrase today: 'better late than never.'

Frase can refer to a saying, proverb, or any memorable expression.

Writing or grammar

Cada frase debe empezar con letra mayúscula.

Each sentence should begin with a capital letter.

In Spanish, frase can also mean 'sentence,' not just 'phrase.'

Quoting someone

Mi frase favorita de Cervantes es sobre la libertad.

My favorite quote from Cervantes is about freedom.

Frase célebre or frase famosa is how Spanish refers to famous quotations.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Frase

Confusing frase with frace

Incorrect: Dime una frace bonita en español.

Correct: Dime una frase bonita en español.

Frase is spelled with an s, not a c. This spelling error is common among learners who confuse Spanish and Portuguese orthography.

Using oración when meaning phrase

Incorrect: Es una oración muy corta. (meaning a short phrase)

Correct: Es una frase muy corta.

Oración specifically means 'sentence' in grammar or 'prayer' in religion. Frase is more flexible and can refer to both phrases and sentences in casual usage.

Lock in Phrase 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 Frase used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using frase in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Esa frase en español tiene un significado muy profundo. 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 Phrase in Spanish

Does frase mean sentence or phrase in Spanish?: Frase covers both meanings in everyday Spanish. In casual conversation, frase can refer to a complete sentence, a partial phrase, a quotation, or a saying. When precision matters in grammar or linguistics, oración is the technical term for a complete sentence, while frase can describe a smaller unit within that sentence.
How do you say 'key phrase' in Spanish?: The direct translation is frase clave, where clave means 'key' in the sense of essential or important. This term is widely used in marketing, SEO, and academic writing, much like its English counterpart.
What is the difference between frase and expresión?: Frase is the more general term and works for any string of words, from a sentence to a quotation. Expresión has a narrower focus on idiomatic phrases or ways of speaking that carry meaning beyond the individual words—for example, expresiones coloquiales are colloquial expressions unique to a region or culture.