un corte degradado
/un koɾte deɡɾadado/from spelling rules
In Spanish, a fade haircut is un corte degradado.
This phrase describes a hairstyle where the hair is cut shorter toward the neck and ears to create a gradual blend. If you want to specify that you want the fade specifically on the sides of your head, you can say degradado en los laterales.
What does it mean word for word?
The word degradado is the past participle of the verb degradar (to degrade or diminish), and in this context, it literally means 'faded' or 'graduated'.
Which one should you use?
While un corte degradado is the full phrase for a fade haircut, it is very common to shorten it to just un degradado when ordering at a barbershop. Alternatively, un desvanecido is a common way to refer to a fade in many Latin American countries.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the specific term for a fade haircut is corte fadeado.
How do you pronounce it?
/un koɾte deɡɾadado/
Did you know?
- The word corte in un corte degradado is a homonym that can also mean 'court' as in a royal palace or a legal court. This second meaning comes from the Latin word for an enclosed space or yard.
- The word degradado for a fade uses the same verb, degradar, that one would use to describe a chemical substance breaking down or a person losing their social status.
- The term degradado describes a visual gradient and is used identically in Spanish to describe a 'gradient' or 'ombre' effect in painting and digital design.
Examples in context
- Hola, necesito un corte de cabello degradado. ¿Puedes ayudarme con eso?Hi, I need a fade haircut. Can you help me with that?
- Por supuesto, te puedo hacer un corte degradado muy atractivo.Certainly, I can give you a very stylish fade haircut.
- Quiero un corte degradado, por favor.I want a fade haircut, please.
- Él se hizo un corte degradado ayer.He got a fade haircut yesterday.
- Ese estilo es un corte degradado muy moderno.That style is a very modern fade haircut.
Example conversation
Javier is at the barbershop asking for a specific style.
- Javier¿Me puedes hacer un corte degradado?Can you give me a fade haircut?
- MaríaClaro, Javier, ¿lo quieres muy corto?Sure, Javier, do you want it very short?
- JavierSí, un corte degradado bien marcado.Yes, a very defined fade haircut.
- MaríaPerfecto, siéntate aquí en la silla.Perfect, sit here in the chair.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries corte, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
