cara
nounBeginnerHigh frequency
What does “cara” mean in English?
face
Example sentences
Lávate la cara antes de salir.
Wash your face before going out.
Tienes buena cara hoy.
You look well today.
Pon cara de feliz.
Put on a happy face.
How to use it
Cara means 'face'. Feminine: la cara. Often used in expressions: tener buena/mala cara ('to look well/bad'), poner cara de sorpresa ('to look surprised').
Common mistake
Use the article + reflexive verb for self-care: 'lávate la cara', not 'lava tu cara'. The reflexive carries the possession.
Topics
Related Beginner words
Reference
This entry’s teaching guidance follows A New Reference Grammar of Modern Spanish (Butt, Benjamin & Moreira Rodríguez, Routledge), 8.