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A1 noun #1,500 le plus courant 7 min de lecture

frente

Top 1,500

At the A1 level, 'la frente' is introduced as a basic part of the human body. Students learn it alongside words like 'ojos' (eyes), 'nariz' (nose), and 'boca' (mouth). The focus is on simple identification and physical descriptions. You might use it to say someone has a large forehead or to describe where you feel hot when you have a fever. It is important to learn that it is a feminine noun ('la frente') from the very beginning to avoid confusion later. Simple sentences like 'Mi frente es pequeña' or 'Tengo calor en la frente' are typical at this stage. Visual aids usually show a face with an arrow pointing to the area above the eyes. At this level, you don't need to worry about complex idioms, just the physical location and the correct article. You should also practice the pronunciation, making sure the 'e' sounds are short and clear, as in the English word 'met'. Remember, in Spanish, we don't usually say 'my forehead' (mi frente) when talking about our own body in a natural way; we say 'the forehead' (la frente) if the context makes it clear whose it is. For example, 'Me toco la frente' (I touch my forehead). This is a fundamental rule of Spanish grammar that starts at the A1 level. Learning this word helps you describe people and talk about basic health issues, which are key topics for beginners. It's a high-frequency word because it's a primary facial feature.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'la frente' in more descriptive and functional contexts. You might describe someone's appearance in more detail, using adjectives like 'ancha' (wide), 'estrecha' (narrow), or 'arrugada' (wrinkled). You also start to use it in the context of daily routines and health, such as 'lavarse la frente' (to wash one's forehead) or 'ponerse crema en la frente' (to put cream on one's forehead). This level also introduces the distinction between 'la frente' (forehead) and 'el frente' (the front of something), which is a crucial step in mastering Spanish gender. You will learn to use 'frente a' as a preposition meaning 'in front of' or 'opposite', and you must be careful not to confuse this with the noun. For instance, 'Estoy frente a la tienda' (I am in front of the store) uses the same root but a different grammatical structure. You might also encounter the word in simple stories or descriptions of emotions, such as someone wrinkling their forehead because they are confused. At A2, your vocabulary is expanding to include more specific actions related to the body, and 'la frente' is a key part of that. You should be able to follow simple instructions like 'Tócate la frente' or 'Dibuja una frente grande'. Understanding the cultural importance of gestures involving the forehead, like a kiss of blessing, also begins at this stage.

At the B1 level, 'la frente' appears in more idiomatic expressions and complex grammatical structures. You will learn phrases like 'con la frente en alto', which means to hold one's head high with pride or dignity. This shows a shift from purely physical description to metaphorical usage. You will also use 'la frente' in the context of expressing opinions and feelings, such as 'fruncir la frente' (to frown or furrow one's brow) to show disagreement or deep thought. In medical contexts, you might describe symptoms more accurately, such as 'siento una presión en la frente' (I feel pressure in my forehead), which is common when discussing sinus issues or headaches. Your ability to distinguish between 'la frente' and 'el frente' should be solid by now, and you will start to see 'el frente' used in news reports about 'el frente frío' (the cold front) or 'el frente de batalla' (the battlefront). The B1 level also involves more reading, where you might encounter literary descriptions of characters' foreheads as a way to convey their personality or social status. For example, a 'frente despejada' (clear forehead) often suggests honesty or intelligence in Spanish literature. You should be comfortable using the word in various tenses and with reflexive verbs, such as 'Se secó la frente mientras corría' (He wiped his forehead while he was running). This level requires a more nuanced understanding of how body parts are used in Spanish compared to English.

At the B2 level, your use of 'la frente' becomes much more natural and varied. You are expected to understand and use a wider range of idioms and collocations. For example, you might use 'dar la frente' (to face something/someone) or understand the nuance of 'chocar de frente' (to collide head-on), though the latter often refers to vehicles, it uses the same conceptual root. You will encounter 'la frente' in more sophisticated literature and media, where it might be used to symbolize a person's fate or character. The distinction between 'la frente' and other facial parts like 'las sienes' (the temples) or 'el entrecejo' (the space between the eyebrows) becomes important for precise communication. You will also be able to discuss cultural nuances, such as the significance of the forehead in different Spanish-speaking traditions. In professional or academic contexts, you might use 'frente a' to mean 'in comparison with' or 'regarding', as in 'Frente a este problema, tenemos dos opciones' (Facing this problem, we have two options). This shows how the word's root extends into abstract logic. Your pronunciation should be near-native, and you should be able to use the word in complex sentences with ease, such as 'A pesar de los problemas, siempre caminó con la frente en alto, demostrando su gran integridad' (Despite the problems, he always walked with his head held high, demonstrating his great integrity).

At the C1 level, you have a deep, nuanced understanding of 'la frente' and its related forms. You can appreciate the subtle differences in meaning and tone when an author chooses to describe a character's 'frente' instead of their 'cara'. You are familiar with rare or literary uses, such as 'testuz' for animals, and you understand how 'la frente' functions in high-level rhetorical devices. You can use the word in complex debates about identity, pride, and social standing, using expressions like 'lavar la frente' (to clear one's name/honor). Your command of the 'el frente' vs 'la frente' distinction is perfect, and you can navigate technical discussions where 'el frente' might refer to a political coalition or a meteorological phenomenon without any hesitation. You also understand the historical etymology of the word from the Latin 'frons, frontis' and how it has evolved in the Spanish language. In writing, you can use 'la frente' to create vivid imagery, perhaps describing the 'frente sudorosa de un trabajador' to evoke themes of labor and struggle. You are also aware of regional variations in how the forehead might be described or what certain gestures involving the forehead mean in different parts of the Spanish-speaking world. Your ability to use the word is not just about communication, but about expressing subtle shades of meaning and emotion.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'la frente' is equivalent to that of an educated native speaker. You can use the word and its derivatives in any context, from the most informal slang to the most formal academic or poetic language. You are capable of interpreting and producing complex metaphors involving the forehead, such as those found in the works of great Spanish-language poets like Lorca or Neruda. You understand the philosophical implications of 'la frente' as the seat of reason and the 'front' of the human soul. You can effortlessly switch between the anatomical 'la frente' and the various meanings of 'el frente', using them as tools for sophisticated wordplay or precise technical description. You are also familiar with the most obscure idioms and can use them appropriately to add flavor and depth to your speech. For example, you might use 'frente a frente' to describe a tense confrontation or a romantic encounter, understanding the different connotations in each case. Your understanding of the word is integrated into a total command of the Spanish language, allowing you to use it with perfect grammatical accuracy and stylistic flair. You can analyze the use of 'la frente' in historical texts and understand how its usage has changed over centuries. At this level, 'la frente' is not just a vocabulary word, but a versatile element of your linguistic repertoire that you can manipulate to achieve specific effects in your communication.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

frente en 30 secondes

La frente means forehead in Spanish.
It is a feminine noun: la frente.
Commonly used for health, emotions, and physical descriptions.
Don't confuse it with el frente (the front).

The Spanish word frente, when used as a feminine noun (la frente), refers specifically to the forehead. This is the anatomical region of the human face located between the eyebrows and the natural hairline. In Spanish, understanding the gender of this word is crucial because el frente (masculine) refers to a front in a military, meteorological, or architectural sense, whereas la frente (feminine) is strictly biological.

Anatomical Context: In medical or descriptive contexts, 'la frente' is used to describe physical traits, such as a 'frente amplia' (broad forehead) or 'frente estrecha' (narrow forehead). It is the primary area where we check for fever or where sweat accumulates during physical exertion.

El niño tiene mucha fiebre; su frente está muy caliente.

Emotional Expression: The forehead is a canvas for human emotion. We 'arrugar la frente' (wrinkle the forehead) when we are confused, angry, or concentrating deeply. It is also the site of gestures like a 'beso en la frente' (a kiss on the forehead), which in many Spanish-speaking cultures signifies protection, deep respect, or platonic affection.

Ella se secó el sudor de la frente después de correr.

Symbolism: Metaphorically, the forehead represents dignity. Phrases like 'con la frente en alto' (with the forehead held high) imply that someone is proud or has a clear conscience. It suggests facing the world without shame.

Caminó hacia el escenario con la frente en alto para recibir su premio.

El pensador tenía una frente muy ancha, signo de su gran sabiduría.

Se puso la mano en la frente al darse cuenta de su error.

Using 'la frente' correctly involves understanding its role as a body part and its common adjectival pairings. Because it is a feminine noun, all accompanying adjectives must agree in gender. For example, you would say 'frente sudorosa' (sweaty forehead) or 'frente arrugada' (wrinkled forehead).

Physical Descriptions: When describing someone, 'la frente' is often the first thing mentioned to indicate age or stress levels. 'Tiene arrugas en la frente' (He has wrinkles on his forehead) is a common way to describe an elderly person or someone who worries a lot.

Mi abuelo tiene una frente llena de historias y arrugas.

Actions and Gestures: Verbs like 'tocarse' (to touch oneself), 'limpiarse' (to clean/wipe oneself), and 'besarse' (to kiss each other) are frequently used with 'la frente'. Note that in Spanish, we use the definite article 'la' instead of the possessive 'mi/su' when the context of the body part is clear.

Me duele la frente por el golpe que me di con la puerta.

Él se secó la frente con un pañuelo de seda.

Medical Contexts: In a clinical setting, a doctor might ask you to 'relajar la frente' (relax your forehead) or check for 'sensibilidad en la frente' (sensitivity in the forehead). It is also where one feels the pressure of a 'dolor de cabeza' (headache).

La enfermera puso un termómetro en su frente.

Siento una presión constante en la frente desde esta mañana.

Ella tiene una pequeña cicatriz en la frente de cuando era niña.

You will encounter 'la frente' in a wide variety of daily situations. In a family home, a parent might touch a child's forehead to check for fever. In a gym, people talk about sweat dripping down their foreheads. In literature and film, the forehead is often described to show a character's internal state—whether they are furrowing it in thought or keeping it high in pride.

Daily Conversations: Commonly heard when discussing health or physical appearance. '¡Qué frente tan grande tienes!' might be a playful (or slightly rude) comment about someone's features. Or, 'Tengo sudor en la frente' when it is hot outside.

Hacía tanto calor que las gotas de sudor le caían por la frente.

Beauty and Grooming: In hair salons, stylists discuss 'el flequillo' (bangs/fringe) in relation to 'la frente'. They might say 'Este corte te tapa la frente' (This cut covers your forehead) or 'Te hace la frente más pequeña'.

Me corté el pelo para cubrirme un poco la frente.

El sacerdote le puso la ceniza en la frente.

Sports and Physical Activity: Athletes often wear 'cintas para la frente' (headbands) to keep sweat out of their eyes. In soccer, 'rematar con la frente' (to header with the forehead) is a specific technique, though 'cabecear' is the more general verb.

El tenista siempre usa una banda en la frente.

Golpeó el balón con la frente y marcó un golazo.

Se dio un golpe en la frente al bajar del autobús.

The most frequent mistake learners make with 'frente' is confusing its gender. Spanish has several words that change meaning based on whether they are masculine or feminine, and 'frente' is a prime example.

Gender Confusion: Saying 'el frente' when you mean 'the forehead' is a common error. 'El frente' refers to the front line of a battle, a weather front, or the front of a group. 'La frente' is the body part. If you say 'Me duele el frente', a native speaker might think you are talking about the front part of your house or a military line!

Incorrecto: Me toqué el frente. Correcto: Me toqué la frente.

Confusion with 'Cara' or 'Rostro': Sometimes learners use 'frente' when they mean the entire face. Remember that 'frente' is just the upper part. If you want to say someone has a beautiful face, use 'cara' or 'rostro'. Using 'frente' would imply they only have a beautiful forehead.

No digas 'Qué frente tan bonita' si quieres halagar toda la cara.

Me puse crema en la frente (not 'mi frente').

Prepositional Errors: Learners often confuse 'frente a' (facing/in front of) with 'en la frente' (on the forehead). While they share the same root, their grammatical functions are completely different. 'Frente a' is a prepositional phrase, while 'en la frente' is a locative phrase referring to the body part.

Estoy frente a la casa vs. Tengo un lunar en la frente.

No confundas la frente con la cara.

Recuerda: La frente es siempre femenina cuando es anatomía.

While 'la frente' is the standard word for forehead, there are other terms you might encounter that relate to the face or the front of things. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker.

Sien (Temple): The 'sien' is the side of the forehead. People often confuse these when describing where a headache is located. 'Me duelen las sienes' refers to the temples, while 'me duele la frente' refers to the front part.

Se frotó las sienes y luego se tocó la frente.

Entrecejo (Space between eyebrows): This is the specific area at the bottom of the forehead between the eyebrows. When someone is angry, they 'fruncen el entrecejo'. This is more specific than just 'arrugar la frente'.

Tenía una arruga profunda en el entrecejo, justo debajo de la frente.

El toro bajó la testuz antes de embestir.

Semblante (Countenance/Face): While 'frente' is a part, 'semblante' refers to the overall expression of the face. If someone has a 'frente despejada', they might have a 'semblante tranquilo'.

Su frente estaba lisa, reflejando un semblante sereno.

Comparación: frente (anatomía) vs cara (totalidad).

Usa frente para hablar de sudor o fiebre.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

"El sujeto presentaba una contusión en la región frontal de la frente."

Neutre

"Se secó la frente porque tenía calor."

Informel

"¡Menuda frente tienes, pareces un genio!"

Child friendly

"Mamá te da un besito en la frente."

Argot

"Le dio de frente y lo dejó frito."

Le savais-tu ?

The word 'frente' is a 'gender-bender' in Spanish. Depending on the article (el/la), it changes from a body part to a military or weather term. This is common in Spanish with words like 'cometa' or 'radio'.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈfɾente/

US /ˈfɾente/

The stress is on the first syllable: FREN-te.

Rime avec

dente mente gente puente fuente serpiente cliente valiente

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'r' like an English 'r' (rhotic).
Making the final 'e' sound like 'ey' or 'ee'.
Confusing the gender in speech (saying 'el frente' for forehead).
Over-aspirating the 't'.
Stressing the second syllable.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text as it is a basic body part.

Écriture 2/5

Requires remembering the feminine gender and the 'e' endings.

Expression orale 2/5

Must avoid the English 'r' and keep the 'e' sounds short.

Écoute 1/5

Distinct sound, rarely confused with other words except 'el frente'.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

cara cabeza ojo mano pelo

Apprends ensuite

ceja sien pestaña mejilla barbilla

Avancé

entrecejo testuz frontis frontal enfrentamiento

Grammaire à connaître

Definite articles with body parts

Me lavo la frente (not mi frente).

Gender-changing nouns

La frente (forehead) vs El frente (front).

Adjective agreement

La frente es ancha (feminine).

Prepositional phrases

Frente a (in front of) vs En la frente (on the forehead).

Reflexive verbs with body parts

Se toca la frente.

Exemples par niveau

Mi frente es grande.

My forehead is big.

Uses the feminine article 'la' (implied) and the adjective 'grande'.

Él tiene calor en la frente.

He feels hot on his forehead.

Uses 'en la frente' to indicate location.

Lávate la frente.

Wash your forehead.

Reflexive verb 'lavarse' with the definite article 'la'.

La frente está arriba de los ojos.

The forehead is above the eyes.

Preposition 'arriba de' used with 'la frente'.

Ella tiene una frente pequeña.

She has a small forehead.

Adjective 'pequeña' agrees with the feminine 'frente'.

¿Te duele la frente?

Does your forehead hurt?

Standard way to ask about pain in a body part.

Puse mi mano en su frente.

I put my hand on his/her forehead.

Use of 'en su frente' to show contact.

La frente es parte de la cara.

The forehead is part of the face.

Simple classification sentence.

El niño tiene la frente muy caliente.

The boy's forehead is very hot.

Use of 'tener la frente' + adjective.

Ella se seca la frente con una toalla.

She wipes her forehead with a towel.

Reflexive action 'se seca'.

Él arruga la frente cuando piensa.

He wrinkles his forehead when he thinks.

Verb 'arrugar' meaning to wrinkle.

Tiene una cicatriz pequeña en la frente.

He has a small scar on his forehead.

'En la frente' indicates the location of the scar.

Usa una banda para la frente cuando corre.

He wears a headband when he runs.

'Para la frente' indicates the purpose of the headband.

La frente de mi padre es muy ancha.

My father's forehead is very wide.

Possessive 'de mi padre' used with 'la frente'.

Me dio un beso en la frente.

He/She gave me a kiss on the forehead.

'En la frente' is the target of the action.

No me gusta tener granos en la frente.

I don't like having pimples on my forehead.

Plural noun 'granos' located 'en la frente'.

Caminaba con la frente en alto a pesar de todo.

He walked with his head held high despite everything.

Idiomatic expression 'con la frente en alto'.

Frunció la frente al leer la noticia.

He furrowed his brow upon reading the news.

Verb 'fruncir' is more specific than 'arrugar'.

Siento una presión constante en la frente.

I feel a constant pressure in my forehead.

Medical description of a symptom.

Se quitó el sudor de la frente con el brazo.

He wiped the sweat off his forehead with his arm.

'De la frente' indicates the source of the sweat.

La frente despejada es signo de inteligencia, dicen.

A clear forehead is a sign of intelligence, they say.

Adjective 'despejada' used in a traditional sense.

Le pusieron una compresa fría en la frente.

They put a cold compress on his forehead.

'En la frente' as the location for treatment.

Ella tiene el flequillo muy corto y se le ve la frente.

She has very short bangs and her forehead is visible.

'Se le ve' is an impersonal construction.

Siempre choca de frente con la realidad.

He always collides head-on with reality.

Idiomatic use of 'de frente' meaning head-on.

El golpe en la frente le dejó un moretón enorme.

The blow to the forehead left him a huge bruise.

'En la frente' specifies the impact site.

Mantuvo la frente en alto durante todo el juicio.

He kept his head held high throughout the trial.

Metaphorical use for dignity.

La frente es la zona donde más se nota el estrés.

The forehead is the area where stress is most noticeable.

'Donde más se nota' is a common relative clause.

Se frotó la frente intentando recordar el nombre.

He rubbed his forehead trying to remember the name.

Action associated with memory and concentration.

Su frente amplia le daba un aire de nobleza.

His broad forehead gave him an air of nobility.

'Le daba un aire' is a common expression for appearance.

Recibió un impacto directo en la frente.

He received a direct impact on the forehead.

'Directo en la frente' emphasizes the location.

Arrugar la frente es un gesto universal de duda.

Wrinkling the forehead is a universal gesture of doubt.

Infinitive 'arrugar' used as a noun.

Tenía la frente perlada de sudor por el esfuerzo.

His forehead was beaded with sweat from the effort.

Literary adjective 'perlada'.

La frente, ese vasto campo donde se libran batallas mentales.

The forehead, that vast field where mental battles are fought.

Metaphorical and poetic usage.

Su frente denotaba una preocupación que sus palabras callaban.

His forehead denoted a worry that his words kept silent.

Verb 'denotar' used for subtle signs.

Llevaba la marca del destino grabada en la frente.

He carried the mark of destiny engraved on his forehead.

Figurative use of 'grabada en la frente'.

La frente despejada del filósofo invitaba a la reflexión.

The philosopher's clear forehead invited reflection.

Use of 'despejada' to imply clarity of thought.

Se enfrentó al dilema con la frente marchita por los años.

He faced the dilemma with a forehead withered by the years.

Poetic adjective 'marchita' (withered).

El sudor frío le resbalaba por la frente ante la amenaza.

Cold sweat slipped down his forehead in the face of the threat.

'Resbalaba por' indicates movement across the surface.

No hay nada más digno que caer con la frente en alto.

There is nothing more dignified than falling with one's head held high.

Subjunctive or infinitive used in a moral statement.

La frente es el espejo donde se refleja la fatiga del alma.

The forehead is the mirror where the soul's fatigue is reflected.

Philosophical metaphor.

La tersura de su frente contrastaba con la profundidad de su mirada.

The smoothness of her forehead contrasted with the depth of her gaze.

Noun 'tersura' (smoothness) used for skin.

Bajo esa frente impávida se escondía un volcán de emociones.

Beneath that undaunted forehead, a volcano of emotions was hidden.

Adjective 'impávida' (undaunted/fearless).

La frente se erigía como el bastión final de su resistencia.

The forehead stood as the final bastion of his resistance.

Metaphorical use of 'bastión'.

Aquel estigma en la frente lo condenaba al ostracismo eterno.

That stigma on his forehead condemned him to eternal ostracism.

'Estigma' used both literally and figuratively.

Su frente, surcada por mil batallas, era un mapa de su vida.

His forehead, furrowed by a thousand battles, was a map of his life.

Participle 'surcada' (furrowed/plowed).

La frente amplia y serena del busto de mármol imponía respeto.

The broad and serene forehead of the marble bust commanded respect.

Describing art and aesthetics.

Se llevó la mano a la frente en un gesto de absoluta claudicación.

He brought his hand to his forehead in a gesture of absolute surrender.

'Claudicación' is a high-level word for surrender.

La frente es el umbral donde el pensamiento se hace carne.

The forehead is the threshold where thought becomes flesh.

Philosophical and abstract construction.

Collocations courantes

frente amplia

frente estrecha

arrugar la frente

fruncir la frente

secarse la frente

beso en la frente

frente sudorosa

frente despejada

tocar la frente

golpe en la frente

Phrases Courantes

con la frente en alto

frente a frente

de frente

en frente de

dar la frente

limpiar la frente

frente a

mirar de frente

romperse la frente

frente por frente

Souvent confondu avec

frente vs el frente

Means the front of a building, a battlefront, or a weather front.

frente vs enfrente

An adverb meaning 'opposite' or 'across the street'.

frente vs cara

The whole face, not just the forehead.

Expressions idiomatiques

"con la frente marchita"

With a withered forehead; showing the passage of time or sadness.

Volvió al pueblo con la frente marchita.

poetic

"no tener dos dedos de frente"

To be unintelligent or lack common sense.

Ese chico no tiene dos dedos de frente.

informal

"caer de frente"

To fall flat on one's face.

Se tropezó y cayó de frente.

neutral

"poner la frente"

To take the blame or lead a charge.

Él puso la frente por todo el equipo.

colloquial

"quemarse la frente"

To study very hard.

Se quemó la frente para el examen de medicina.

informal

"frente de hierro"

Someone who is very stubborn or shameless.

Tiene una frente de hierro, no le importa lo que digan.

informal

"sudor de la frente"

Hard work or labor.

Se gana la vida con el sudor de su frente.

literary/biblical

"bajar la frente"

To submit or show humility.

Tuvo que bajar la frente ante su jefe.

formal

"lavar la frente"

To restore honor.

Buscaba lavar la frente de su familia.

literary

"tener la frente muy alta"

To be very arrogant.

Tiene la frente muy alta para ser un principiante.

informal

Facile à confondre

frente vs el frente

Identical spelling, different gender.

La frente is the body part; El frente is a conceptual or physical front.

El frente frío llegará mañana; ella tiene fiebre en la frente.

frente vs enfrente

Similar sound and root.

Enfrente is an adverb of place; la frente is a noun.

Vivo enfrente; me duele la frente.

frente vs ceja

Proximity on the face.

Cejas are the eyebrows; frente is the skin above them.

Se depila las cejas; se lava la frente.

frente vs sien

Both are parts of the upper head.

Sien is the temple (side); frente is the front.

Me duelen las sienes; tengo sudor en la frente.

frente vs rostro

Both refer to the face.

Rostro is the whole face/countenance; frente is a specific part.

Su rostro es bello; su frente es ancha.

Structures de phrases

La frente es [adjective].

La frente es grande.

Tengo [noun] en la frente.

Tengo calor en la frente.

Se [verb] la frente.

Se toca la frente.

Tiene la frente [adjective].

Tiene la frente sudorosa.

Con la frente [prepositional phrase].

Con la frente en alto.

[Verb] la frente al [verb].

Arrugó la frente al leer.

La frente, [relative clause].

La frente, que estaba sudada, brillaba.

[Noun] de la frente.

La tersura de la frente.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in daily speech and literature.

Erreurs courantes

Me duele el frente. → Me duele la frente.
'El frente' refers to a military or weather front. For the body part, use 'la'.
Limpio mi frente. → Me limpio la frente.
Spanish uses reflexive verbs and definite articles for body parts rather than possessive adjectives.
Tiene una frente grande. → Tiene la frente grande.
While 'una' is okay, 'la' is much more natural when describing someone's features.
Estoy la frente de la casa. → Estoy en frente de la casa.
'Frente' as a location requires the preposition 'en' or 'a'.
Fruncir la cara. → Fruncir la frente / el entrecejo.
You furrow your brow/forehead, not your whole face.

Astuces

Gender Matters

Always pair 'frente' with 'la' when talking about the body. This is the most common mistake for English speakers.

Descriptive Adjectives

Learn 'ancha' (wide) and 'estrecha' (narrow) as they are the most common ways to describe a forehead.

The Forehead Kiss

Understand that a kiss on the forehead is a sign of deep respect and protection in Spanish-speaking cultures.

Soft 'T'

The 't' in 'frente' is dental. Touch your tongue to your teeth, don't let a puff of air out like in English.

Two Fingers of Forehead

The phrase 'no tener dos dedos de frente' is a very common way to call someone stupid in an informal way.

Avoid Possessives

In your writing, use 'la' instead of 'mi/tu/su' for body parts to sound more natural.

Context Clues

If you hear 'frente' followed by 'frío' or 'militar', it's 'el frente'. If you hear it with 'sudor' or 'beso', it's 'la frente'.

Prepositional Use

'Frente a' is very useful for comparisons in essays. Use it to mean 'as opposed to' or 'in the face of'.

Frontal Bone

The adjective for things related to the forehead is 'frontal', just like in English.

Front Door

Think of the forehead as the 'front door' to your brain.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'Friend' (Frente) who has a very large forehead. Or imagine a 'Front' door on your face—that's your forehead!

Association visuelle

Visualize a person with a bright light shining from their forehead, representing 'la frente despejada' (intelligence).

Word Web

cara cabeza cejas pelo sudor fiebre pensar beso

Défi

Try to describe three people you know using the word 'frente' and a different adjective for each (e.g., amplia, pequeña, arrugada).

Origine du mot

From the Latin 'frons, frontis', which meant forehead, brow, or front.

Sens originel : Forehead or front part of an object.

Indo-European -> Italic -> Romance -> Spanish.

Contexte culturel

No specific sensitivities, but be careful when commenting on the size of someone's forehead as it can be seen as a physical critique.

In English, 'forehead' is purely anatomical. In Spanish, 'la frente' carries more weight regarding honor and pride.

The song 'Volver' by Carlos Gardel mentions 'la frente marchita'. Religious ceremonies like Ash Wednesday. The phrase 'con la frente en alto' in political speeches.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Medical

Tengo fiebre en la frente.
Me duele la frente.
Póngale un paño frío en la frente.
Tiene un golpe en la frente.

Physical Description

Tiene la frente ancha.
Su frente es pequeña.
Tiene arrugas en la frente.
Tiene una frente despejada.

Emotions

Arrugó la frente con duda.
Frunció la frente.
Mantuvo la frente en alto.
Se llevó la mano a la frente.

Sports

Le dio al balón con la frente.
Usa una cinta en la frente.
El sudor le caía por la frente.
Chocaron de frente.

Daily Life

Lávate bien la frente.
Ponte crema en la frente.
Un beso en la frente.
Cuidado con la frente.

Amorces de conversation

"¿Crees que una frente ancha es signo de inteligencia?"

"¿Te pones protector solar en la frente cuando vas a la playa?"

"¿Qué haces cuando te duele la frente por el estrés?"

"¿Alguna vez te has dado un golpe fuerte en la frente?"

"¿Te gusta usar flequillo o prefieres mostrar la frente?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe la frente de una persona que admires.

Escribe sobre un momento en el que tuviste que caminar con la frente en alto.

¿Qué gestos haces con la frente cuando estás enojado?

Describe un accidente gracioso que involucró tu frente.

Reflexiona sobre la frase 'ganarse el pan con el sudor de la frente'.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It depends on the meaning! If you mean 'forehead', it is always feminine: 'la frente'. If you mean a 'front' (like a weather front or a military front), it is masculine: 'el frente'.

You use the phrase 'en frente de' or 'frente a'. For example, 'Estoy en frente de la casa' or 'Frente a la crisis'.

While grammatically correct, Spanish speakers prefer 'la frente' when it's obvious whose forehead it is. Say 'Me duele la frente' instead of 'Me duele mi frente'.

It is an idiom meaning to be proud, dignified, or to have nothing to be ashamed of. It literally translates to 'with the forehead held high'.

'Arrugar' is a general term for making wrinkles. 'Fruncir' is more specific to an expression of worry, anger, or concentration, often involving the eyebrows.

You can say 'cinta para la frente' or simply 'banda para la cabeza'.

Usually, 'frente' is for humans. For animals like bulls, the word 'testuz' is more common.

It means 'the cold front' in meteorology. Note the use of the masculine 'el'.

No, 'frente' is only the forehead. Use 'cara' or 'rostro' for the whole face.

It is a single tap 'r', similar to the 'dd' in the English word 'ladder' or 'tt' in 'better'.