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verso means verse — a common term in Beautiful Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: November 22, 2025

Beautiful Spanish

verso

noun • /[BER-so]/

verse

Example:

Todo su abrazo fue un verso.

Her whole hug was a verse.

🧠 What does verso mean?

In Spanish, 'verso' refers to a single line of a poem. It is the fundamental structural unit of poetry, characterized by a specific rhythm, meter, and often, rhyme. A collection of versos typically forms an 'estrofa' (stanza). While its primary meaning is literary, 'verso' can also be used more broadly to refer to poetry in general, as opposed to 'prosa' (prose). Less commonly, in the context of books and manuscripts, 'verso' refers to the back or left-hand page of a leaf, with 'recto' being the front.

📚 Extra examples

  • El poeta leyó el último verso con mucha emoción.
    The poet read the last verse with great emotion.
  • Para la clase de literatura, tuvimos que memorizar diez versos de Garcilaso.
    For literature class, we had to memorize ten verses by Garcilaso.
  • La canción tiene un verso que se repite varias veces.
    The song has a verse that repeats several times.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'verso' comes from the Latin 'versus', meaning 'a turn', which refers to the writer turning to begin a new line. This is in direct contrast to its opposite, 'prosa' (prose), which comes from the Latin 'prosa oratio', meaning 'straightforward discourse'. The term 'verso' is also used in typography and library science to denote the left-hand page of an open book, or the reverse side of a single sheet of paper.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "verso"

Synonyms: línea poética, renglón, poesía
Opposites: prosa

🔍 See more beautiful spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'verse' in Spanish?
The most direct translation for a single line of poetry is 'verso'. A group of verses is an 'estrofa' (stanza).
How do you pronounce 'verso' in Spanish?
It is pronounced 'BAIR-so', with the stress on the first syllable. The 'v' is pronounced similar to a 'b' in English, and the 'r' is a single, clear tap.
How do you use 'verso' in a sentence?
An example is: 'Escribió un verso lleno de melancolía.' This translates to 'He wrote a verse full of melancholy.'
What is the English translation of 'verso'?
The primary English translation is 'verse', specifically meaning one line of a poem or song.
Does 'verso' change for gender or number?
'Verso' is a masculine noun. The singular form is 'el verso', and the plural is 'los versos'.
Is 'verso' common in everyday Spanish?
It is very common in specific contexts, such as discussions about literature, poetry, music, and education. It is not frequently used in casual, everyday conversation unless one of these topics is being discussed.
Does 'verso' have slang or double meanings?
Yes. Besides a line of poetry, it can mean the back of a page. In some Latin American countries, particularly in the River Plate region, the colloquial expression 'meter verso' means to lie, exaggerate, or try to persuade someone with insincere talk.
Is 'verso' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The primary literary meaning of 'verso' is the same across all Spanish-speaking regions. However, the colloquial use 'meter verso' is more characteristic of certain parts of Latin America, such as Argentina and Uruguay, and is not common in Spain.

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