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"Main" is an adjective which is often translated as "principal", and "head" is a noun which is often translated as "la cabeza". Learn more about the difference between "main" and "head" below.
main(
meyn
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. principal
My job is the main reason why I live in this city.Mi trabajo es la razón principal por la que vivo en esta ciudad.
b. fundamental
This summary includes the main ideas of the chapter.Este resumen incluye las ideas fundamentales del capítulo.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
2. (supply)
a. la cañería principal (F) (water)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The water main broke and we were out of water for an entire day.La cañería principal se rompió y nos faltó agua un día entero.
b. la tubería principal (F) (water)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The street is closed because the mains are going to be repaired.La calle está cortada porque van a reparar las tuberías principales.
c. el cable principal (M) (electricity)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Someone cut the main of the electrical system.Alguien cortó el cable principal de la red eléctrica.
3. (literary) (ocean)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
a. la mar océana (F) (archaic) (literary)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A word or phrase that is no longer used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another era (e.g., thou).
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
The pirates took their ship way out into the main.Los piratas llevaron su barco hasta la mar océana.
4. (nautical)
a. la vela mayor (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
"Unfold the main!" shouted the captain."¡Desplieguen la vela mayor!" gritó el capitán.
head(
hehd
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
1. (anatomy)
2. (mind)
a. el jefe (M), la jefa (F)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
There's a meeting of all department heads at 4 pm.Hay una reunión de todos los jefes de departamento a las 4 pm.
b. el director (M), la directora (F)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The head of the board was elected by all of its members.El director de la junta fue elegido por todos sus miembros.
c. la cabeza (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
In some countries, the head of the government is the prime minister, not the president.En algunos países, la cabeza del gobierno es el primer ministro, no el presidente.
4. (top part)
a. la cabeza (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I missed the head of the nail with the hammer, and hit my thumb.No le di a la cabeza del clavo con el martillo y me golpeé el pulgar.
b. la punta (F) (of an arrow or spear)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The natives apply poison to the dart heads to hunt animals from afar.Los nativos ponen veneno en las puntas de los dardos para cazar animales de lejos.
c. la cabecera (F) (of furniture)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
My father always sits at the head of the table.Mi padre siempre se sienta en la cabecera de la mesa.
d. la espuma (F) (of beer)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
There was a trace of white on his mustache from the head of his beer.Tenía el bigote manchado de blanco de la espuma de su cerveza.
6. (animal)
7. (technology)
a. la cabeza (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
To clean the head of a cassette player, rub it with a swab dipped in alcohol.Para limpiar la cabeza del reproductor de casetes, frótala con una torunda impregnada en alcohol.
b. el cabezal (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The tape got stuck in the heads of the video recorder.La cinta se atascó en los cabezales del reproductor de vídeo.
a. la mamada (F) (vulgar)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A word or phrase that is crude, indecent, and generally rejected by society.
Julie's really good at giving head.Julie es muy buena para darte una mamada.
b. el sexo oral (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
My boyfriend asked me to give him head.Mi novio me pidió que le hiciera sexo oral.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. dirigir
He headed the company from 1983 until his retirement.Dirigió la compañía desde el 1983 hasta su jubilación.
14. (to direct)
a. conducir
The firefighter headed the people towards the exit.El bombero condujo a la gente hacia la salida.
a. encabezar
The demonstration, headed by the opposition leader, demanded more social benefits.La manifestación, encabezada por el líder de la oposición, pedía más beneficios sociales.
a. encabezar
The author used quotes to head the chapters of his book.El autor usó citas para encabezar los capítulos de su libro.
heads
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
18. (side of a coin)
a. la cara (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The referee is going to throw the coin; if it’s heads our team kicks off.El árbitro va a lanzar la moneda, si sale cara nuestro equipo saca.
