This is the 611th most frequent Italian word.
spalle
"Spalle" means "shoulders" in English.
'Spalle' here refers to the anatomical term for shoulders.
Le sue spalle sono larghe.
His shoulders are broad.
'Spalle' is used metaphorically to indicate 'behind'.
Abbiamo lasciato il problema alle spalle.
We left the problem behind us.
'Spalle' is used figuratively to refer to the back aspect of a hill or similar feature.