corazon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighFormal, Literary, Medical, Informal (in figurative use)
Quick answer
What does “corazon” mean?
(literally) The central muscular organ of the circulatory system.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
(literally) The central muscular organ of the circulatory system; the heart. (figuratively) The core or essential part of something; a person's emotional or moral center.
A conventional heart shape; the emotional capacity for love, compassion, courage, or enthusiasm; the innermost or central part of an object, space, or issue.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
As a Spanish loanword, it is used identically in both varieties when referring to the Spanish term or in cultural contexts (e.g., 'Corazón' as a title). No distinct UK/US usage exists for the English word 'heart', which is its direct equivalent.
Connotations
In English contexts, using 'corazón' directly (instead of 'heart') often evokes Spanish/Latin American culture, romance, music, or literature.
Frequency
In general English, the word 'heart' is used. 'Corazón' itself has low frequency in English texts except as a proper noun (song titles, names) or in discussions of Spanish language/culture.
Grammar
How to Use “corazon” in a Sentence
tener el corazón (en)de todo corazóndel fondo del corazónromper el corazón a alguienVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “corazon” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - 'corazón' is not a verb in Spanish or English.
American English
- N/A - 'corazón' is not a verb in Spanish or English.
adverb
British English
- N/A - No direct adverbial form.
American English
- N/A - No direct adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- N/A - The adjectival form is 'cardíaco' (cardiac) or 'cordial'. 'Corazón' is not used as an adjective.
American English
- N/A - The adjectival form is 'cardíaco' (cardiac) or 'cordial'. 'Corazón' is not used as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except metaphorically in phrases like 'at the heart of our strategy' (using English 'heart').
Academic
Used in medical/biological contexts (anatomy), or in cultural/linguistic studies discussing Spanish concepts.
Everyday
Common in figurative expressions about feelings and in cultural references (music, food).
Technical
Strict anatomical or physiological reference in Spanish-language contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “corazon”
- Misspelling as 'corazon' (without accent), which can affect pronunciation and is incorrect in Spanish.
- Using it as a direct adjective in English (e.g., 'a corazón feeling') instead of 'heartfelt'.
- Overusing the Spanish term in English where 'heart' is perfectly adequate.
- Mispronouncing the 'z' as /z/; it is /θ/ (Spain) or /s/ (Latin America).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a masculine noun: 'el corazón', 'un corazón latiendo'.
The plural is 'corazones'. The accent remains on the final 'o' in the plural: corazones.
'Corazón' is more associated with emotions, feelings, courage, and love. 'Alma' refers to the spiritual or immortal essence of a person, more linked to spirit, psyche, and deep inner life. They overlap but are not synonyms.
The most common terms are 'latido (del corazón)' or 'pulsación'. 'Palpitación' is also used, often for an unusually strong or irregular beat.
(literally) The central muscular organ of the circulatory system.
Corazon is usually formal, literary, medical, informal (in figurative use) in register.
Corazon: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒr.əˈθɒn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɔːr.əˈsoʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “De todo corazón (With all my heart)”
- “Romperse el corazón (To have one's heart broken)”
- “No tener corazón (To be heartless)”
- “Abrir el corazón (To open one's heart)”
- “Corazón de melón (Melon heart - meaning fickle)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CORAZón (sounds like 'core a zone') - the CORE ZONE of your body and emotions.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE HEART IS A CONTAINER FOR EMOTIONS (e.g., 'lleno de amor en su corazón'); THE HEART IS THE CENTER OF A PERSON/PLACE (e.g., 'el corazón de la selva'); THE HEART IS AN OBJECT THAT CAN BE BROKEN/GIVEN (e.g., 'roto mi corazón', 'te doy mi corazón').
Practice
Quiz
In which of these Spanish phrases does 'corazón' NOT refer to the physical organ?