Spanish · Body & Health
"Thumb" in Spanish: pulgar
el pulgar
A thumb is el pulgar (pool-GAR). It is masculine: un pulgar, los pulgares. Pulgar is more specific than dedo alone.
How to pronounce pulgar: audio and sound guideAfter a jam
Me atrapé el pulgar en la puerta.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce pulgar
Say it
pool-GAR
/pulˈɡaɾ/
pool-GAR. Stress GAR. Soft g. Say pulgar, not pull-gar.
"Thumb" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| el pulgar | the thumb Default body word. | Default body word. |
| los pulgares | the thumbs Plural. | Plural. |
| Me duele el pulgar | My thumb hurts Pain talk. | Pain talk. |
| pulgar arriba | thumbs up Approval gesture. | Approval gesture. |
How to use pulgar in real life
- 1After a jam
Me atrapé el pulgar en la puerta.
I caught my thumb in the door.
El pulgar names the thumb clearly.
- 2Phone typing
Me duele el pulgar de tanto escribir.
My thumb hurts from so much typing.
Me duele el pulgar is common.
- 3Gesture
Me dio pulgar arriba por el plan.
He gave me a thumbs-up for the plan.
Pulgar arriba means approval.
Mistakes English speakers make with pulgar
Incorrect: La pulgara está hinchada.
Correct: El pulgar está hinchado.
Pulgar is masculine. Use el pulgar.
Incorrect: Me duele el dedo gordo de la mano sin pulgar.
Correct: Me duele el pulgar.
The clear everyday word is el pulgar.
Good to know
Good to knowSpanish learners often say dedo gordo, but el pulgar is the clear thumb word. Pulgar arriba is the thumbs-up gesture. Clinics also say Me duele el pulgar.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
A sore thumb after typing
ChatPal
¿Te duele el pulgar?
Does your thumb hurt?
You
Sí. Tengo el pulgar cansado.
Yes. My thumb is tired.
ChatPal
Descansa un rato.
Rest a while.
You
Voy a cuidar el pulgar hoy.
I'm going to take care of the thumb today.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Thumb" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Thumb" in Spanish
Is pulgar masculine or feminine?
Masculine: el pulgar, un pulgar, los pulgares.
How do you pronounce pulgar?
pool-GAR with stress on GAR.
How do I say thumbs up?
Pulgar arriba.
Is dedo gordo okay for thumb?
People understand it, but el pulgar is clearer.
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