pies planos
Lemma Details
Translation: flat feet; fallen arches
Part of Speech: noun phrase
Etymology: The term comes from Spanish 'pies' (feet, plural of 'pie') + 'planos' (flat, from Latin 'planus'). The English cognate 'plane' shares the same Latin root. The term describes the medical condition where the arches of the feet collapse, causing the entire sole to touch the ground.
Commonality: 60%
Guessability: 80%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Tengo pies planos y necesito usar plantillas especiales.
I have flat feet and need to use special insoles.
Los pies planos pueden causar dolor en las rodillas y la espalda.
Flat feet can cause pain in the knees and back.
El médico diagnosticó pies planos en el niño.
The doctor diagnosed flat feet in the child.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'plane' (flat surface) to remember 'planos' means flat.
- Imagine feet that are as flat as a plain or plateau.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This term is commonly used in medical contexts and everyday conversation when discussing foot conditions. In some countries, having flat feet was historically grounds for exemption from military service.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: This is simply the singular form of 'pies planos'. 'Pie plano' refers to one flat foot, while 'pies planos' refers to both feet being flat.
Confused word:
Se lesionó el pie plano al correr sin plantillas.
He injured his flat foot by running without insoles.
Notes: In medical contexts, both forms are used depending on whether discussing one or both feet.
Mnemonic: Remember: 'pies' (plural) vs 'pie' (singular) - just like 'feet' vs 'foot' in English.
Explanation: This is an incorrect construction sometimes mistakenly used. The correct term is 'pies planos' where 'planos' is an adjective describing 'pies'.
Confused word:
Incorrect usage
Incorrect usage
Notes: Spanish adjectives typically follow the noun they modify and must agree in number.
Mnemonic: Remember that 'planos' is an adjective that must agree with the noun 'pies', not a separate phrase.