regazo
nounCEFR B2
What does “regazo” mean in English?
lap — the flat area formed by the upper legs when sitting; associated with care and intimacy
lap — the flat area formed by the upper legs when sitting; associated with care and intimacy (en el regazo; sentarse en el regazo)
Example sentences
El niño se quedó dormido en el regazo de su madre durante el viaje en tren.
The child fell asleep in his mother's lap during the train journey.
El gato se subió al regazo del anciano y se quedó dormido mientras veían la televisión.
The cat climbed into the old man's lap and fell asleep while they watched television.
La poetisa describe el campo castellano como un regazo en el que el viajero puede descansar.
The poetess describes the Castilian countryside as a lap in which the traveller can rest.
How to use it
El regazo (noun, masculine) means 'lap' — the flat area formed by the upper legs when seated, associated with care and intimacy. Key collocations: sentarse en el regazo de; dormirse en el regazo; en el regazo de la madre. In literary Spanish, also used figuratively (en el regazo de la naturaleza = in the bosom of nature). This word is rarely used outside intimate or literary contexts. Distinguish from rodilla (knee) and muslo (thigh).
Common mistake
Regazo (lap when seated) ≠ rodilla (knee) ≠ muslo (thigh). This word appears far more in literary and intimate registers than in everyday speech; in colloquial Spanish, people may say las rodillas or simplemente 'en mis piernas'. Do not confuse with retraso (delay) — very different word despite superficial similarity.