The Body and Head
Let's learn how to talk about el cuerpo (the body) and la cabeza (the head). You can easily pair these nouns with adjectives you already know to describe physical traits.
When describing someone's body parts, especially with the verb tener (to have), Spanish typically uses the definite article (el, la, los, las) instead of a possessive adjective (like su or mi).
Arms and Hands
Next, let's look at the upper limbs, including el brazo (the arm) and el dedo (the finger).
Pay special attention to the word for "hand". Even though it ends in -o, it is a feminine noun: la mano. This means any adjectives describing it must also be feminine. While definite articles are the standard for body parts, you will still sometimes see possessives like tus (your) when emphasizing or clarifying.
The Face and Neck
To describe someone's face, use nouns like el ojo (the eye), la boca (the mouth), la oreja (the ear), and la nariz (the nose). Don't forget el cuello (the neck) just below it!
Remember that adjectives must match these body parts in both gender and number.
When performing an action on a body part—like opening it or examining it—continue to use the definite article rather than a possessive word.
