This page provides Spanish vocabulary for talking about music and art, covering genres, instruments, and common expressions to help you join the conversation with confidence.
Music Genres
Music genres in Spanish help you describe different styles of music, from classical to pop.
| Spanish Genre | English Genre | Example Sentence (Spanish) | Example Sentence (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| el rock | rock | Me gusta escuchar rock por la noche. | I like to listen to rock at night. |
| el pop | pop | El pop es muy popular entre los jóvenes. | Pop is very popular among young people. |
| el jazz | jazz | El jazz tiene ritmos muy complejos. | Jazz has very complex rhythms. |
| la música clásica | classical music | Estudio música clásica en el conservatorio. | I study classical music at the conservatory. |
| el reguetón | reggaeton | El reguetón se originó en Puerto Rico. | Reggaeton originated in Puerto Rico. |
| la salsa | salsa | Bailamos salsa en la fiesta. | We danced salsa at the party. |
| el blues | blues | El blues tiene un tono melancólico. | Blues has a melancholic tone. |
| la ópera | opera | La ópera es una forma de teatro musical. | Opera is a form of musical theater. |
| el hip-hop | hip-hop | El hip-hop incluye rap y breakdance. | Hip-hop includes rap and breakdancing. |
| la música electrónica | electronic music | La música electrónica es popular en los clubes. | Electronic music is popular in clubs. |
Art Vocabulary
Here are key Spanish words for talking about visual art, including types of art and common materials.
| Spanish Word | English Word | Example Sentence (Spanish) | Example Sentence (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| la pintura | painting | La pintura de Picasso es famosa en todo el mundo. | Picasso’s painting is famous worldwide. |
| la escultura | sculpture | Visitamos una exposición de esculturas modernas. | We visited an exhibition of modern sculptures. |
| el dibujo | drawing | Hice un dibujo con lápiz y papel. | I made a drawing with pencil and paper. |
| la galería | gallery | La galería de arte está en el centro de la ciudad. | The art gallery is downtown. |
| el museo | museum | El museo tiene una colección de arte renacentista. | The museum has a collection of Renaissance art. |
| el artista | artist | El artista usa colores vivos en sus obras. | The artist uses bright colors in his works. |
| el lienzo | canvas | El lienzo está en blanco antes de pintar. | The canvas is blank before painting. |
| el óleo | oil paint | Pintó el cuadro con óleo. | He painted the picture with oil paint. |
| la acuarela | watercolor | La acuarela es una técnica delicada. | Watercolor is a delicate technique. |
| el boceto | sketch | Hice un boceto antes de empezar la pintura. | I made a sketch before starting the painting. |
I made a drawing with pencil and paper.
Hice un dibujo con lápiz y papel.
'Dibujo' means 'drawing,' so the correct sentence is 'Hice un dibujo con lápiz y papel.'
Musical Instruments
Use these Spanish names for musical instruments to talk about playing music or describe a band.
| Spanish Instrument | English Instrument | Example Sentence (Spanish) | Example Sentence (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| la guitarra | guitar | Toco la guitarra en un grupo de música. | I play guitar in a music band. |
| el piano | piano | Ella estudia piano desde los cinco años. | She has been studying piano since she was five. |
| el violín | violin | El violín es un instrumento de cuerda. | The violin is a string instrument. |
| la batería | drums | La batería marca el ritmo en la canción. | The drums set the rhythm in the song. |
| la flauta | flute | Aprendí a tocar la flauta en la escuela. | I learned to play the flute at school. |
| el saxofón | saxophone | El saxofón es popular en el jazz. | The saxophone is popular in jazz. |
| el bajo | bass | El bajista toca el bajo eléctrico. | The bassist plays the electric bass. |
| la trompeta | trumpet | La trompeta suena en la banda de música. | The trumpet sounds in the marching band. |
| el teclado | keyboard | Uso el teclado para componer canciones. | I use the keyboard to compose songs. |
| la armónica | harmonica | La armónica es común en el blues. | The harmonica is common in blues. |
She has been studying piano since she was five.
Ella estudia piano desde los cinco años.
'Piano' is the same in Spanish, so the correct sentence is 'Ella estudia piano desde los cinco años.'
Art and Music Expressions
These common Spanish expressions will help you talk about opinions and experiences related to art and music.
| Spanish Expression | English Expression | Example Sentence (Spanish) | Example Sentence (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Me encanta la música... | I love ... music | Me encanta la música clásica. | I love classical music. |
| ¿Has escuchado ...? | Have you heard ...? | ¿Has escuchado la nueva canción de Shakira? | Have you heard Shakira’s new song? |
| Es una obra de arte. | It’s a work of art. | Este cuadro es una obra de arte. | This painting is a work of art. |
| Me gusta el estilo de ... | I like ...’s style | Me gusta el estilo de Frida Kahlo. | I like Frida Kahlo’s style. |
| Toco ... desde hace ... | I’ve been playing ... for ... | Toco el piano desde hace diez años. | I’ve been playing piano for ten years. |
| La canción trata de ... | The song is about ... | La canción trata de amor y desamor. | The song is about love and heartbreak. |
| La exposición es impresionante. | The exhibition is impressive. | La exposición en el museo es impresionante. | The exhibition at the museum is impressive. |
| ¿Cuál es tu género favorito? | What’s your favorite genre? | ¿Cuál es tu género favorito de música? | What’s your favorite music genre? |
| El ritmo es contagioso. | The rhythm is infectious. | El ritmo de la salsa es contagioso. | The salsa rhythm is infectious. |
| Voy a un concierto esta noche. | I’m going to a concert tonight. | Voy a un concierto esta noche con mis amigos. | I’m going to a concert tonight with my friends. |
Pronunciation Tip
In Spanish, the letter “j” is pronounced like the English “h” in “hat”, as in “jazz” (pronounced “has”) or “jóvenes” (pronounced “hóbe-nes”).
You’re Ready!
You now have the key Spanish vocabulary and expressions to discuss music and art confidently. Practice using these words and sentences in your conversations to share your passion for creativity.
Flashcards (1 of 40)
- English Genre: rock
- Example Sentence (English): I like to listen to rock at night.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
