Pezón vs. tetilla

In Spanish, 'pezón' and 'tetilla' both refer to the 'nipple', but they are used in different contexts. Let's explore their meanings and usage with examples.

Pezón

'Pezón' usually refers to the nipple in both men and women, more commonly related to its anatomical or biological aspects.
El pezón es una parte sensible del cuerpo humano.
(The nipple is a sensitive part of the human body.)
Durante la lactancia, el pezón puede irritarse.
(During breastfeeding, the nipple can become irritated.)
Los hombres también tienen pezones aunque no sean funcionales como en las mujeres.
(Men also have nipples even though they are not functional like in women.)

Tetilla

'Tetilla' is typically used to refer to the male nipple and is often seen as more informal. It can also denote a kind of cuddly, affectionate context.
Los bebés a veces pellizcan las tetillas de sus padres mientras juegan.
(Babies sometimes pinch their fathers' nipples while playing.)
En algunos contextos humorísticos, se hace referencia a las tetillas para hacer reír a la gente.
(In some humorous contexts, nipples are mentioned to make people laugh.)
Las tetillas pueden ser un tema tabú en ciertas culturas.
(Nipples can be a taboo topic in certain cultures.)

Summary

'Pezón' generally refers to the nipple on both men and women with an anatomical focus, while 'tetilla' is more often used for the male nipple and carries a slightly informal tone. Examples show how these terms fit into different contexts.