Es un calcetín, idiota.
It's a sock, you idiot.
During a drawing game, two players argue about what the picture shows. Un calcetín is a single sock, the piece between your foot and your shoe.
From The Break-Up · Spanish audio
Spanish vocabularyA1 · Beginner
How to say "socks" in Spanish
el calcetín
nounmasculineplural: los calcetinesno accent in the plural
"Socks" in Spanish is los calcetines, and one sock is el calcetín. The accent on the í disappears in the plural. In many Latin American countries, Argentina and Colombia among them, people say las medias, while in Spain medias means tights.
Hear "calcetín" in real movie scenes
One sock in a drawing game, then a pair worth a compliment. Each video starts and stops on that line.
Ah, qué lindos calcetines, lindos calcetines, lindos.
Oh, nice socks, nice socks, nice.
Socks come in pairs, so most of the time you'll hear calcetines. Here a guy compliments someone else's socks in passing.
From Lords of Dogtown · Spanish audio
Calcetines, medias and the rest of your feet
The sock word changes by country. Here it is with its neighbors.
| Spanish | English | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| el calcetín, los calcetines | sock, socks | The usual word in Spain and Mexico, and understood everywhere. |
| las medias | socks, or tights | Socks in places like Argentina and Colombia. In Spain, tights or stockings. |
| los zapatos | shoes | Your calcetines go on before these. |
| las zapatillas | sneakers | The everyday word for sneakers in Spain. |
| las botas | boots | Thick calcetines help in winter boots. |
Tip: Socks come in twos, so in a shop you'll usually ask for un par de calcetines, a pair of socks.
Grammar: el calcetín, los calcetines
Four points, from the accent to getting dressed.
It's masculine
el calcetín, un calcetín, with adjectives in -o: un calcetín limpio, los calcetines blancos.The accent drops off
calcetín, calcetines. The stress stays on ti, but the longer plural doesn't need the written mark.Wearing them: llevar
Llevo calcetines. I'm wearing socks. When you list what you have on, you can leave out the article.On and off
ponerse is to put on and quitarse to take off: Me pongo los calcetines. Spanish says los here, where English says my.Example sentences
Sentences from the Wordy Spanish course. Tap to listen.
Es un calcetín pequeño.
It's a small sock.
Es un calcetín limpio.
It's a clean sock.
Este calcetín es de gran calidad.
This sock is very good quality.
Llevo un jersey y calcetines.
I'm wearing a sweater and socks.
Common mistakes
Mistakes learners make with this word, and how to fix them.
✗los calcetínes
✓los calcetines
Drop the accent mark in the plural. The stress stays put, and only the spelling changes.
✗la calcetín
✓el calcetín
Calcetín is masculine, so it's el calcetín and un calcetín blanco.
✗Busco medias (looking for socks in Madrid)
✓Busco calcetines
In Spain, medias are tights or stockings. Ask for calcetines there.
Practice: 3 quick exercises
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1 of 3 · Watch and choose
What do you hear in the video?
The other 22 exercises on this topic are in the app.
How to remember it
Calcetín starts like calf. Picture pulling a long calcetín up from your ankle toward your calf.
Questions about "socks" in Spanish
How do you say socks in Spanish?
Los calcetines, and one sock is el calcetín. In much of Latin America you'll also hear las medias.
Is it calcetines or medias?
It depends on the country. Calcetines is the word in Spain and Mexico, and medias is common in places like Argentina and Colombia.
How do you say "put on your socks" in Spanish?
Ponte los calcetines. About yourself: Me pongo los calcetines.
How do you say "a pair of socks" in Spanish?
Un par de calcetines. The same word works for gloves: un par de guantes.
