Spanish · Body & Health

"Face" in Spanish: cara

la cara

Say it: KAH-rahfeminine · la caranoun/ˈka.ɾa/

Note: also: el rostro

Face is la cara (KAH-rah). It is feminine. Rostro is a more formal option. Wash your face with Lávate la cara.

Morning routine

Me lavo la cara con agua fría.
I wash my face with cold water.
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How to pronounce cara

Say it

KAH-rah

/ˈka.ɾa/

KAH-rah. Stress KAH. Clear r.

"Face" in Spanish: quick reference

SpanishEnglish
la caraface

Everyday default.

el rostroface / countenance

More formal or written.

lavarse la carato wash one's face

Morning routine.

cara a caraface to face

In-person meeting.

How to use cara in real life

  1. 1Morning routine

    Me lavo la cara con agua fría.

    I wash my face with cold water.

    La cara in daily care.

  2. 2Photo

    Sonríe. Muéstrame tu cara.

    Smile. Show me your face.

    Casual request with cara.

  3. 3Meeting

    Hablamos cara a cara mañana.

    We'll talk face to face tomorrow.

    Fixed phrase cara a cara.

Mistakes English speakers make with cara

Incorrect: El cara está sucia.

Correct: La cara está sucia.

Cara is feminine: la cara.

Incorrect: Lávate el face.

Correct: Lávate la cara.

Use cara, not face.

Good to know

Cara is the daily word; rostro sounds more formal. Cara a cara means in person, not on a call.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Getting ready for a photo

  1. ChatPal

    ¿Tienes algo en la cara?

    Do you have something on your face?

  2. You

    ¿En la cara? ¿Dónde?

    On my face? Where?

  3. ChatPal

    Aquí, cerca de la mejilla.

    Here, near the cheek.

  4. You

    Listo. Ya lo quité.

    Done. I wiped it off.

This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.

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"Face" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Face" in Spanish

Is cara masculine or feminine?

Feminine: la cara, mi cara.

Is rostro the same as cara?

Same idea; rostro is more formal.

How do I say wash your face?

Lávate la cara.

What does cara a cara mean?

Face to face / in person.

Learn a word, then use it out loud

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  3. Step 3: Get feedback
  4. Step 4: Use it in real scenarios

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