frases

Frases is the plural form of frase in Spanish and Portuguese, where the term refers to a unit of language that conveys meaning. It covers a range of uses, from a complete sentence to a smaller group of words that functions within a larger construction. In everyday language, frases can also denote quotes, memorable expressions, or set expressions known as frases hechas.

In grammar and linguistics, the distinction between a frase and an oracion is common. A frase can be a full sentence if it contains a finite verb and expresses a clause with a clear predicate, as in Hoy es un buen día. It can also be a phrase that does not express a complete thought on its own, such as con gran paciencia, which functions inside a sentence as an adverbial or adjectival phrase. In many contexts, oracion is the term used for a sentence with a finite verb, while frase is the broader category that includes both sentences and phrases within larger constructions.

Frases hechas are conventional or idiomatic expressions whose meaning cannot be inferred from the individual words, such as expresiones populares or refranes in some cases. Dictionaries and linguistic corpora often distinguish between different kinds of frases, including noun phrases, verb phrases, and prepositional phrases, as well as full sentences.

Understanding frases is useful for language learners, translators, and educators, as it clarifies how ideas are packaged and how punctuation and syntax interact within sentences and longer discourse.