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"Calavera" is a noun which is often translated as "skull", and "cráneo" is a noun which is also often translated as "skull". Learn more about the difference between "calavera" and "cráneo" below.
la calavera(
kah
-
lah
-
beh
-
rah
)
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
feminine noun
a. skull
Las paredes de las catacumbas están cubiertas de calaveras.The walls of the catacombs are covered in skulls.
2. (rear light)
Regionalism used in Mexico
(Mexico)
a. tail light
Rompí una calavera mientras estacionaba.I broke a tail light while parking.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
3.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(libertine)
a. rake
Toda su vida ha sido un calavera.He has been a rake all his life.
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el cráneo(
krah
-
neh
-
oh
)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. skull
El cráneo encontrado por los arqueólogos pertenecía a un neandertal.The skull found by the archaeologists belonged to a Neanderthal.
b. cranium
A word or phrase that is only used by experts, professionals, or academics in a particular field (e.g., exposition).
(technical)
El forense afirmó que las marcas del cráneo se habían provocado con un objeto contundente.The forensic surgeon stated the marks on the cranium were caused by a blunt object.
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