What word do you use for "armpit"?

Question

Spanishdict says there are two words: axila y sobaco. Which one is more commonly used? Axila seems like it might be the clinical word. Plus I imagine there are slang words.

Thanks!

Axila only sounds clinical because it is so similar to the anatomical/technical term that we use in English (axilla) to describe this region. In Spanish, however, "axila" is the common term. - Izanoni1, Dec 8, 2011

Answer 1

Your choices are la axila and el sobaco. I think the former is a bit more polite.

When I took anatomy years ago, I remember being introduced to the term "axilla" for the first time and being told by other students who had a Spanish background that some anatomical terms, such as "axilla" were easy to remember because these were the same or very similar to common Spanish terms.

In any case, here are a few interesting comments that have been made by native Spanish speakers about the difference between "axila" and "sobaco."

Mmmm, axila es así como la parte del cuerpo... y sobaco, no seeeeeeeeeee, asi como axila sucia jajajaja

Hmmm..."axila" is like that part of your body, and "sobaco"—I don't knoooow—it's like the same part of your body, only dirtier. hahaha

“Pero acaso no es obvio? La connotación de axila se refiere a la zona especifica, y el sobaco se centraliza en lo mismo pero se le agrega un desagradable olor.... Es decir una habla de una tendencia visual y el otro de olfato... es visual v/s olfato... captas?”

But isn't it obvious? The word "axila" refers to a specific area of the body as does the word "sobaco," except that with the latter we have the additional connotation of "a foul odor." Namely, one is looked at from a visual perspective while the other takes into account our sense of smell...it's sight vs. smell....ya get it?

“Axila: es lo que se encuentra abajo del hombre, donde emanan olores de sudor super fuerte, y cuando el olor se siente en el aroma, cambia rápidamente de axila a sobaco.

The "axila" is what is found under the shoulder, the place where super strong odors of sweat originate, and when the smell becomes an aroma, the "axila" quickly changes into a "sobaco"

Axila es la definición anatómica de esa parte del cuerpo, sobaco corresponde a cuando esa zona está infestada de pelos y liendres, asi como sucio

"Axila" is the anatomical definition of this part of the body; "sobaco," on the other hand, corresponds to when this area is overrun with hair and nits, you know, just plain filthy.

Hopefully those comments (translated quite liberally by myself) might give some insight into the difference between the two terms

Nits, in the armpits? U sure? - annierats, Dec 8, 2011

I imagine that the person who made the comment was speaking in hyperbole - Izanoni1, Dec 8, 2011

This is really great, Iza. :-) - Gekkosan, Dec 8, 2011

Iza your posts are the bomb :) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 8, 2011

This post **absolutely** has to go into the reference section!! (or please, or please, at least put it under the dictionary entry) - territurtle, Dec 8, 2011

Answer 2

If you want to name the body part, I'll call it "axila". --- Sobaco is mostly used in a humorous way. For example, "Your armpit sticks dude!" = Hueles a sobaco!

• Uou would never see a t.v commercial saying, Desodorante XYZ para sobacos frescos! (XYZ deororant!!! For fresh "sobacos") But you could see, "Desodorante XYZ, para axilas frescas".

Answer 3

Your choices are la axila and el sobaco. I think the former is a bit more polite.

armpit

Yes! I woud say at least a bit more...see my comments below - Izanoni1, Dec 8, 2011

Answer 4

Thanks for the answers, folks.. and especially for all the detail, Izanoni1! Just what I was looking for.