noun

la garganta

throat

Parte del cuerpo que conecta la boca con el interior del cuello y permite tragar y hablar.

Definition & meaning

Garganta is a feminine Spanish noun meaning throat: the passage in the neck that connects the mouth and nose with the esophagus and respiratory system.

It can also mean:

Throat or voice area
- Me duele la garganta — “My throat hurts.”
- It may refer to the physical throat or, by extension, the voice: Tiene una garganta potente — “He has a powerful voice.”
Gorge, ravine, or narrow mountain passage
- La garganta del río es muy profunda — “The river gorge is very deep.”
- In this sense, it describes a narrow passage between rocks or mountains.

Grammar & Word origin

Gender: feminine
Article: la garganta
Plural: las gargantas
Pronunciation: approximately gar-GAN-ta, with the stress on the second syllable.

The word’s origin is uncertain. It is often considered to have an expressive or onomatopoeic origin, possibly imitating the sound made in the throat. Its meaning later extended from the human throat to a narrow natural passage, such as a gorge.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

gola — a formal or anatomical synonym for “throat”; it is less common in everyday speech.
faringe — the anatomical pharynx, a more precise medical term and not a complete everyday synonym.
desfiladero — a narrow mountain pass or gorge; it applies only to the geographical meaning.
cañón — a canyon or gorge; generally larger and more geological than garganta.

There is no exact antonym for garganta. For the geographical meaning, a contrasting idea would be llanura , meaning “plain” or “open flat land,” but it is not a direct antonym.

Common phrases & collocations

dolor de garganta — sore throat
aclararse la garganta — to clear one’s throat
tener algo en la garganta — to have something stuck in one’s throat; also figuratively, to be unable to express something
gritar a pleno pulmón — to shout at the top of one’s voice
garganta profunda — literally “deep throat”; it can refer to a deep voice or, figuratively, an anonymous confidential source
garganta del río — river gorge