noun

el hígado

liver

Es un órgano grande de color rojo oscuro que se encuentra en la parte derecha del cuerpo y ayuda a limpiar la sangre.

Definition & meaning

Hígado means liver, the large organ that processes nutrients and helps remove toxins from the blood. It can refer to the organ in a person or animal, or to liver eaten as food.

In figurative expressions, it can suggest courage or nerve, or refer to someone’s bad temper.

Grammar & Word origin

Hígado is a masculine noun: el hígado. Its plural is los hígados. The written accent marks the stressed syllable: hí-ga-do.

The word comes from Latin ficātum, originally referring to a liver prepared or fattened with figs.

Synonyms & antonyms

There is no exact everyday synonym. Víscera “” means an internal organ more generally, so it is broader than hígado. There is no direct antonym.

Common phrases & collocations

Trasplante de hígado “” — liver transplant.
Hígado graso “” — fatty liver.
Tener hígado “” — to have courage or nerve; the exact sense depends on context.
Mal hígado “” — a bad temper or irritable disposition.