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"Gemelos" is a form of "gemelos", a plural noun which is often translated as "binoculars". "Mellizos" is a form of "mellizo", an adjective which is often translated as "twin". Learn more about the difference between "gemelos" and "mellizos" below.
los gemelos(
heh
-
meh
-
lohs
)A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
a. binoculars
Pásame los gemelos para ver mejor aquel elefante. Hand me the binoculars so I can see that elephant better.
b. opera glasses
Siempre me llevo los gemelos al teatro para poder ver las expresiones en las caras de los actores. I always bring my opera glasses to the theater so I can see the expressions on the actors' faces.
gemelo
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
3. (relative)
b. identical twin
Marcos y Martín son mellizos; no son gemelos.Marcos and Martin are fraternal twins; they aren't identical twins.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
4. (anatomy)
a. calf muscle
Me lastimé el gemelo porque salí a correr sin calentar primero.I injured my calf muscle, because I went out running without warming up first.
5. (clothing)
a. cuff link
Le regalé unos gemelos a mi padre para su camisa de vestir.I gave my dad some cuff links for his dress shirt.
mellizo(
meh
-
yee
-
soh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. twin
Carlos es mi hermano mellizo aunque no se parezca a mí.Carlos is my twin brother even though he doesn't look like me.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
2. (relative)
a. twin
Nos sorprendió la llegada de mellizos porque solo esperábamos un bebé.We were surprised by the arrival of twins because we only expected one baby.
b. fraternal twin
Jorge y yo no somos idénticos porque somos mellizos.Jorge and I aren't identical because we're fraternal twins.
