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A1 noun (plural) #13 más común 7 min de lectura

legs

Top 13

At the A1 level, the word 'legs' is one of the first body parts you will learn. It is used to describe yourself and others. You will learn that humans have two legs and many animals have four. You will use it in simple sentences like 'I have two legs' or 'The dog has four legs.' You will also see it when talking about furniture, like a table or a chair. It is a very basic and important word for daily life. You should focus on the plural form 'legs' because we usually talk about both of them together. You will also learn simple verbs that go with legs, like 'walk' and 'run'. At this stage, don't worry about idioms; just focus on the physical parts of the body and furniture.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'legs' to describe physical feelings and more detailed actions. You might say 'My legs are tired' after a long walk or 'His legs are long' when describing a friend. You will also start to see 'legs' used with more adjectives, such as 'strong legs' or 'short legs'. You might learn the names of animals based on their legs, like 'spiders have eight legs'. You will also encounter the word in the context of clothing, such as 'the legs of the trousers'. At this level, you are building a more descriptive vocabulary around the physical world, and 'legs' is a key component of that description.

At the B1 level, you will encounter 'legs' in more varied contexts, including health and fitness. You might read about 'leg exercises' or 'leg injuries' in a news article or a health blog. You will also start to learn common phrases and idioms. For example, you might hear 'stretch your legs' when someone suggests taking a walk after sitting for a long time. You will also see 'legs' used to describe parts of a journey, such as 'the first leg of our trip'. This level requires you to understand that 'legs' can mean more than just a body part; it can also mean a stage or a section of something longer. You should be comfortable using it in both literal and slightly metaphorical ways.

At the B2 level, you will explore the idiomatic and metaphorical uses of 'legs' in depth. You will understand phrases like 'pulling someone's leg' (meaning to joke with them) and 'on its last legs' (meaning something is about to fail or break). You will also see 'legs' used in business and media to describe the longevity of a story or a product—'this idea has legs.' You will be able to use the word in more complex grammatical structures, such as 'Having walked all day, my legs were beginning to give out.' At this level, you should be able to distinguish between the different meanings of 'legs' based on the context of the conversation or text.

At the C1 level, your understanding of 'legs' becomes very nuanced. You will recognize it in sophisticated literature and professional discourse. You might encounter 'legs' in the context of political science, referring to the 'legs' of a bill or a policy—meaning its support and viability. You will also understand more obscure idioms like 'sea legs' or 'getting a leg up' on the competition. You will be able to use the word with precision, choosing it over synonyms like 'limbs' or 'supports' to convey a specific tone or image. Your ability to use 'legs' metaphorically will be a sign of your advanced proficiency in English, allowing you to describe complex situations with simple, vivid imagery.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of the word 'legs' and its entire range of meanings, from the biological to the highly abstract. You can appreciate the etymological roots of the word and how its meaning has evolved over centuries. You might use 'legs' in creative writing to evoke specific sensations or to create extended metaphors. You understand the subtle differences between 'legs' and its synonyms in every possible register, from technical medical reports to street slang. You can use the word effortlessly in complex idioms and can even play with its meaning for humorous or rhetorical effect. At this level, 'legs' is not just a word, but a versatile tool in your extensive linguistic repertoire.

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

legs en 30 segundos

Legs are essential body parts for walking and standing in humans and animals.
The term also refers to the vertical supports of furniture like tables and chairs.
Metaphorically, 'legs' describes the endurance or lasting power of an idea or project.
It is a common count noun used in many idioms like 'break a leg' or 'pulling your leg'.

The word legs primarily refers to the biological limbs used by humans and many animals for locomotion and support. In a literal sense, legs are the pillars of the body, extending from the hip to the foot. However, the utility of this word extends far beyond biology. We use 'legs' to describe the supports of furniture, such as tables and chairs, which mimic the function of biological legs by providing stability and height. In more abstract contexts, 'legs' refers to the endurance or lasting power of an idea, a story, or a commercial product. For instance, if a movie 'has legs,' it means it continues to perform well at the box office over a long period. This versatility makes 'legs' one of the most fundamental nouns in the English language, appearing in medical, domestic, and metaphorical conversations daily.

Anatomical Context: In biology, legs consist of the thigh, knee, calf, and ankle. They are essential for bipedalism in humans.

The marathon runner felt a sharp pain in her legs after the twentieth mile.

Structural Context: Furniture legs are designed to distribute weight evenly to the floor, often made of wood, metal, or plastic.

One of the legs of the dining table is shorter than the others, making it wobble.

Metaphorical Context: Used to describe the durability of abstract concepts like rumors, news stories, or financial trends.

The news about the merger has legs; it has been the top story for three weeks.

After the long flight, I really needed to stretch my legs.

The spider has eight legs, which helps it move quickly across its web.

Using the word legs correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a plural count noun. Most commonly, it follows possessive adjectives like 'my', 'your', or 'his'. When describing physical movement, it is often the object of verbs like 'stretch', 'cross', 'break', or 'move'. In a medical context, you might discuss 'aching legs' or 'swollen legs'. When discussing furniture, the word is usually preceded by a number, such as 'a three-legged stool'. It is also important to note that 'legs' can be used in the possessive form, 'legs'', though this is less common than 'the legs of the table'.

Verb Pairings: Common verbs include: walk on, run with, kick with, and rest your legs.

He sat down to rest his tired legs after the hike.

Adjective Modifiers: Common adjectives: long, short, spindly, sturdy, muscular, and shaky.

The flamingo has very long, thin legs.

Prepositional Phrases: Phrases like 'on its last legs' or 'between your legs' are frequent.

That old car is on its last legs and will likely break down soon.

She stood with her legs crossed while waiting for the bus.

The puppy tucked its tail between its legs because it was scared.

The word legs is ubiquitous in everyday conversation, but its usage shifts depending on the environment. In a gym or fitness center, you will hear about 'leg day' or 'working on your legs'. In a furniture store, sales associates will discuss the 'tapered legs' of a mid-century modern desk. In a medical clinic, a doctor might ask if you have 'numbness in your legs'. In the world of theater, 'break a leg' is the standard way to wish someone good luck. Even in the kitchen, people talk about 'chicken legs' or 'crab legs' when discussing food. The word is so deeply embedded in our physical reality that it surfaces in almost every domain of human activity, from sports and fashion to engineering and culinary arts.

Sports and Fitness: Athletes focus on leg strength for explosive power in running and jumping.

The cyclist has incredibly powerful legs from years of training.

Culinary Arts: Refers to the limbs of poultry or shellfish served as a meal.

We ordered a bucket of fried chicken legs for the picnic.

Fashion and Clothing: Discussed in terms of pant length or the 'leg' of a pair of trousers.

These jeans have a straight leg cut that is very popular this season.

The table legs were carved with intricate floral patterns.

He was pulling my leg when he said he won the lottery.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 'legs' with 'feet'. While the leg is the entire limb from hip to ankle, the foot is only the part that touches the ground. Another common error involves the singular and plural forms. In English, we almost always use 'legs' in the plural when referring to a person's general ability to walk or stand, even if only one leg is affected in a specific context. For example, you would say 'My legs are tired,' not 'My leg is tired' unless only one specifically hurts. Additionally, the idiom 'break a leg' is often misunderstood by non-native speakers as a literal threat or a mean wish, when it is actually a positive wish for a good performance. Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the 'leg of a journey' metaphor, incorrectly using 'arm' or 'branch' instead.

Leg vs. Foot: The leg is the long part; the foot is the part inside the shoe.

Incorrect: My legs hurt inside my shoes. Correct: My feet hurt inside my shoes.

Idiomatic Confusion: 'Break a leg' means 'good luck' in theater, not a literal injury.

Before she went on stage, her friends shouted, 'Break a leg!'

Pluralization of Furniture: A table usually has four legs, so always use the plural form in that context.

The chair's legs were made of solid oak.

I have a cramp in my leg (singular because only one hurts).

The tripod has three legs to keep the camera steady.

While legs is the most common term, several alternatives exist depending on the register and context. In formal or medical settings, you might hear 'lower limbs'. In informal or slang contexts, people might refer to legs as 'pins', 'stems', or 'getaway sticks'. When talking about the structural supports of a building or bridge, 'pillars' or 'posts' are more appropriate than 'legs'. In the context of a journey, 'stages' or 'segments' can replace 'legs'. Understanding these nuances helps in choosing the right word for the right situation. For example, calling a person's legs 'pillars' might imply they are very strong and thick, whereas calling them 'spindly' implies they are thin like the legs of a spider.

Limbs vs. Legs: 'Limbs' is a broader term that includes both arms and legs.

The doctor examined his lower limbs for any signs of injury.

Supports vs. Legs: 'Supports' is used for engineering and heavy structures.

The bridge rests on massive concrete supports.

Pins vs. Legs: 'Pins' is a British slang term for legs, often used in the phrase 'steady on your pins'.

He was a bit wobbly on his pins after the long surgery.

The insect has six appendages that function as legs.

The first phase of the project is complete.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"The patient reported bilateral pain in the lower legs."

Neutral

"I need to sit down; my legs are hurting."

Informal

"We had to leg it when the rain started."

Child friendly

"The bunny has fuzzy little legs."

Jerga

"Check out the stems on her!"

Dato curioso

In Old English, the word for leg was 'scanca' (which became 'shank'), but 'leg' eventually replaced it after the Viking invasions.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /leɡz/

US /leɡz/

The stress is on the only syllable: LEGS.

Rima con

eggs pegs begs kegs dregs megs regs segs

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the 's' as a sharp 's' instead of a 'z' sound.
Making the 'e' sound too long, like 'leegs'.
Dropping the 'g' sound completely.
Confusing the vowel sound with 'lags'.
Over-emphasizing the 'z' sound at the end.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text.

Escritura 1/5

Simple spelling and pluralization.

Expresión oral 2/5

Requires correct 'z' sound at the end.

Escucha 1/5

Distinct sound, easy to hear.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

body walk stand table chair

Aprende después

feet knees thighs muscles limbs

Avanzado

locomotion appendages stability endurance viability

Gramática que debes saber

Pluralization of regular nouns

One leg, two legs.

Possessive adjectives with body parts

My legs, her legs, their legs.

Subject-verb agreement with plural nouns

My legs are (not is) tired.

Using 'of' for inanimate objects

The legs of the table.

Compound nouns for specific types

Table legs, chair legs.

Ejemplos por nivel

I have two legs.

I have two limbs for walking.

Plural noun 'legs'.

The table has four legs.

The table stands on four supports.

Number + plural noun.

A dog has four legs.

An animal with four limbs.

Simple subject-verb-object.

My legs are long.

Describing the length of the limbs.

Adjective 'long' modifying 'legs'.

Birds have two legs.

Animals with two limbs.

Plural subject and object.

The chair has broken legs.

The supports are not working.

Adjective 'broken' modifying 'legs'.

He walks on his legs.

Using limbs for movement.

Preposition 'on' + possessive 'his'.

Touch your legs.

An instruction to touch the limbs.

Imperative sentence.

My legs are tired after the walk.

Feeling fatigue in the limbs.

Predicate adjective 'tired'.

She has very strong legs.

Describing physical strength.

Adjective 'strong' modifying 'legs'.

The spider has eight thin legs.

Describing an insect's limbs.

Multiple adjectives.

He hurt his leg playing football.

An injury to one limb.

Singular 'leg' for a specific injury.

The cat has short legs.

Describing an animal's features.

Adjective 'short'.

I need to stretch my legs.

Moving after sitting for a long time.

Infinitive phrase 'to stretch'.

The legs of the bed are made of metal.

Describing furniture material.

Prepositional phrase 'of the bed'.

He stood on one leg.

Balancing on a single limb.

Singular 'leg' with 'one'.

We completed the first leg of our journey.

The first part of a trip.

Metaphorical use for 'stage'.

The doctor checked the circulation in my legs.

Medical examination of blood flow.

Noun in a medical context.

She was shaking her legs nervously.

Repetitive movement due to anxiety.

Adverb 'nervously' modifying the action.

The table legs are wobbly and need fixing.

Unstable furniture supports.

Compound noun 'table legs'.

He has a lot of hair on his legs.

Describing physical appearance.

Prepositional phrase 'on his legs'.

The athlete has powerful legs for sprinting.

Muscular limbs for speed.

Purpose phrase 'for sprinting'.

I have a cramp in my right leg.

A sudden muscle pain.

Singular 'leg' with 'right'.

The pants are too long in the leg.

Describing clothing fit.

Singular 'leg' referring to the garment part.

Are you pulling my leg?

Are you joking with me?

Idiomatic expression.

This business idea definitely has legs.

The idea is sustainable and will last.

Metaphorical use for 'longevity'.

The old refrigerator is on its last legs.

The machine is about to stop working.

Idiom for 'near failure'.

It took me a while to get my sea legs.

Adjusting to the motion of a ship.

Idiom for 'balance at sea'.

He gave me a leg up in my career.

He helped me get started or advance.

Idiom for 'assistance'.

The rumor had legs and spread through the office.

The story persisted and grew.

Metaphorical use for 'persistence'.

She didn't have a leg to stand on in the argument.

She had no evidence or support for her claim.

Idiom for 'lack of support'.

The final leg of the relay race was the most exciting.

The last part of a competition.

Specific use in sports.

The legislative proposal lacks the legs to pass the Senate.

The bill doesn't have enough support to succeed.

Political metaphor.

The story has legs, persisting in the public consciousness.

The narrative remains relevant over time.

Advanced metaphorical use.

He was wobbly on his pins after the long surgery.

He was unsteady on his legs.

Informal/Slang 'pins' for legs.

The table's cabriole legs are a hallmark of Queen Anne style.

A specific curved furniture design.

Technical terminology.

The company is trying to find its legs in the new market.

Trying to become stable and successful.

Business metaphor.

The marathoner's legs felt like lead after thirty kilometers.

Extreme heaviness and fatigue.

Simile 'like lead'.

The chair's legs were splayed outward for better stability.

Spread out at an angle.

Descriptive participle 'splayed'.

The economic recovery seems to have legs at last.

The recovery is finally becoming sustainable.

Economic metaphor.

The historical narrative has legs, surviving centuries of oral tradition.

The story has endured through time.

High-level abstract metaphor.

The dancer's legs were a testament to years of rigorous training.

The limbs showed the results of hard work.

Formal, evocative language.

The project's legs were cut out from under it by the budget cuts.

The project was suddenly stopped or ruined.

Complex idiomatic metaphor.

The wine has 'legs' that streak down the side of the glass.

Droplets that form on the inside of a wine glass.

Technical term in oenology.

She had to run her legs off to meet the deadline.

She had to work extremely hard and fast.

Hyperbolic idiom.

The spider's legs moved with a terrifying, mechanical precision.

Movement that is both scary and very exact.

Literary description.

The table's legs were carved into the likeness of lion's paws.

Ornate furniture design.

Detailed descriptive phrase.

The athlete's legs finally gave way under the immense pressure.

The limbs collapsed or failed.

Phrasal verb 'gave way'.

Colocaciones comunes

long legs

tired legs

table legs

stretch your legs

cross your legs

leg room

leg injury

broken leg

hind legs

leg day

Frases Comunes

stretch one's legs

on one's legs

show a leg

leg it

a leg up

shake a leg

keep one's legs

between one's legs

under one's legs

leg work

Se confunde a menudo con

legs vs feet

The leg is the whole limb; the foot is just the bottom part.

legs vs arms

Arms are the upper limbs; legs are the lower limbs.

legs vs lags

Lags refers to falling behind; legs refers to the limbs.

Modismos y expresiones

"break a leg"

A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.

I know you'll be great in the play. Break a leg!

informal

"pulling someone's leg"

To joke with someone by telling them something that isn't true.

Stop pulling my leg! I know you didn't actually meet the president.

informal

"on its last legs"

Near the end of its life, usefulness, or existence.

This old laptop is on its last legs; I need a new one.

neutral

"not have a leg to stand on"

To have no proof or logical basis for an argument.

Without the receipt, you don't have a leg to stand on for a refund.

neutral

"get your sea legs"

To become used to the motion of a ship and stop feeling seasick.

It took two days on the cruise for me to finally get my sea legs.

neutral

"cost an arm and a leg"

To be extremely expensive.

That new designer handbag cost an arm and a leg.

informal

"give someone a leg up"

To help someone achieve something they couldn't do alone.

His father's connections gave him a leg up in the industry.

neutral

"run someone off their legs"

To make someone very tired by giving them too much to do.

The boss is running us off our legs with all these new tasks.

informal

"tail between one's legs"

Feeling ashamed or embarrassed after a defeat.

He walked away with his tail between his legs after losing the debate.

informal

"have legs"

To be able to continue or endure for a long time.

The investigation into the scandal seems to have legs.

neutral

Fácil de confundir

legs vs feet

Both are parts of the lower limb.

Legs go from hip to ankle; feet are below the ankle.

My legs are long, but my feet are small.

legs vs limbs

Both refer to body parts used for movement.

Limbs is a general term for arms and legs; legs is specific.

The accident injured his limbs, specifically his legs.

legs vs shanks

Both can refer to the leg area.

Shanks usually refers to the lower leg or a cut of meat.

He has thin shanks, but strong legs.

legs vs pillars

Both provide vertical support.

Pillars are for buildings; legs are for furniture or bodies.

The roof is held up by pillars, not legs.

legs vs stages

Both can mean parts of a journey.

Stages is more general; legs is often used for travel or races.

The first leg of the race was the hardest stage.

Patrones de oraciones

I have [number] legs.

I have two legs.

The [object] has [number] legs.

The chair has four legs.

My legs are [adjective].

My legs are tired.

I need to [verb] my legs.

I need to stretch my legs.

The [noun] is on its last legs.

The car is on its last legs.

Are you [verb-ing] my leg?

Are you pulling my leg?

The [abstract noun] has legs.

The rumor has legs.

The [noun] lacks the legs to [verb].

The bill lacks the legs to pass.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

Verbos

Adjetivos

Relacionado

Cómo usarlo

frequency

Extremely high in both spoken and written English.

Errores comunes

My legs is tired. → My legs are tired.
Legs is a plural noun and requires the plural verb 'are'.
I have two foots. → I have two feet (or legs).
Don't confuse the part (foot) with the whole (leg), and remember the irregular plural of foot.
The table has four arms. → The table has four legs.
Furniture stands on legs, not arms.
He pulled my legs. → He pulled my leg.
The idiom 'pulling someone's leg' is always used in the singular.
I broke a legs. → I broke a leg.
When referring to a single injury, use the singular form.

Consejos

Plural vs Singular

Always use 'legs' when talking about general movement or furniture, unless you are pointing to one specific limb.

Good Luck

Use 'break a leg' only for performances. Don't use it for someone taking a math test!

Furniture

When describing a table, 'legs' is the standard word. 'Supports' is too formal for a home setting.

Gym Talk

If you are at the gym, 'legs' usually refers to the muscle groups like quads, hamstrings, and calves.

Space

Always check the 'leg room' before booking a long-haul flight if you are tall.

Business

Use 'this has legs' to express confidence in a new project's longevity.

Pants

The 'leg' of a pair of pants refers to the part that covers your leg. You can have 'wide-leg' or 'straight-leg' jeans.

Body Parts

Remember that the knee is part of the leg, but the foot is a separate part below it.

Pets

Most mammals have four legs, but we call the front ones 'front legs' and the back ones 'hind legs'.

Ending Sound

Make sure the 's' sounds like a 'z' to sound more like a native speaker.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

L-E-G-S: Lower Extremities for Ground Stability.

Asociación visual

Imagine a table with human legs instead of wooden ones to remember both meanings.

Word Web

walk run table chair pants shoes knee thigh

Desafío

Try to count all the legs in your room, including people, animals, and furniture.

Origen de la palabra

The word 'legs' comes from the Old Norse word 'leggr', which meant a leg, bone, or stem.

Significado original: Originally, it referred specifically to the bone of the leg before expanding to the whole limb.

Germanic

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using slang terms for legs, as some can be objectifying or rude depending on the context.

The idiom 'break a leg' is used exclusively in performance contexts.

The ZZ Top song 'Legs' The movie 'Daddy Long Legs' The phrase 'The legs of the relay' in the Olympics

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

At the gym

Don't skip leg day.
My legs are burning.
Leg presses.
Strong legs.

Furniture shopping

Are the legs wooden?
Wobbly legs.
Tapered legs.
Metal legs.

Traveling

The first leg of the flight.
No leg room.
Stretch your legs.
On the last leg.

Medical clinic

Pain in my legs.
Swollen legs.
Broken leg.
Leg cramps.

Theater

Break a leg!
Leg it to the stage.
The legs of the set.
Good luck.

Inicios de conversación

"How do your legs feel after that long hike we took yesterday?"

"Do you prefer furniture with wooden legs or metal legs for your home?"

"Have you ever had to 'leg it' to catch a bus or a train?"

"What do you do when you have no leg room on a long flight?"

"Has anyone ever pulled your leg with a really funny joke?"

Temas para diario

Describe a time when you were so tired that your legs felt like they couldn't move another inch.

Write about a project or an idea you have that you think 'has legs' and could be successful.

Reflect on a journey you took and describe the different legs of the trip and what happened during each.

If you could have the legs of any animal, which would you choose and why?

Explain the meaning of 'break a leg' to someone who has never heard the idiom before.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, you use 'leg' when referring to only one of the two limbs, such as 'I hurt my left leg.' However, we often use the plural when talking about them as a pair.

It is an idiom used to wish someone good luck, especially before they perform on stage. It is never meant literally.

Yes, some tables and stools are designed with three legs, often called tripods, for stability on uneven ground.

Sea legs refers to the ability to walk steadily on a moving ship without feeling seasick or losing your balance.

No, it usually means someone is just joking with you or telling a harmless lie for fun.

Leg room is the amount of space available for a person's legs when they are sitting in a seat, like on a plane or in a car.

Yes, in a metaphorical sense, if an idea 'has legs,' it means it is strong, sustainable, and likely to succeed over time.

In fitness culture, 'leg day' is a specific day of the week dedicated to exercising the muscles in the legs.

This metaphor comes from the idea of walking; each part of a trip is like a step taken by a leg.

A leg is the whole limb, while a shank specifically refers to the part of the leg between the knee and the ankle.