cabeza calva
/kabeθa kalba/from spelling rules
The English phrase "bald head" is translated into Spanish as cabeza calva.
Meaning: literally (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of cabeza (head) and calva (bald).
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the adjective calva is the feminine form used to agree with cabeza. When describing a man as bald, the adjective calvo is used.
Did you know?
- The word calva can also refer to a 'bald spot' or a patch of bare ground in a forest, not just a part of the body.
- The word cabeza is actually a linguistic survivor of a mistake. It comes from a Latin neuter plural that speakers accidentally reinterpreted as a feminine singular noun.
- While calvo is the standard term, in several Latin American countries, people use the slang word pelón to describe a bald head, which can be an affectionate nickname or a tease.
Examples in context
- El hombre mayor tiene una cabeza calva.The older man has a bald head.
- Mi tío está completamente pelado.My uncle is completely bald.
- Mi hermano se afeita la cabeza y tiene la cabeza pelada.My brother shaves his head and has a bald head.
- Su cabeza calva brilla bajo el sol.His bald head shines under the sun.
- Él tiene una cabeza calva.He has a bald head.
- Dibujé una cabeza calva en el papel.I drew a bald head on the paper.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are talking about a new coworker.
- LucíaMira al nuevo empleado, tiene una cabeza calva.Look at the new employee, he has a bald head.
- DanielSí, se ve muy profesional así.Yes, he looks very professional like that.
- Lucía¿Crees que usa peluca para su cabeza calva?Do you think he wears a wig for his bald head?
- DanielNo, creo que es natural.No, I think it's natural.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cabeza, CC BY-SA 4.0.
