perdiendo pelo
/peɾdjendo pelo/from spelling rules
The English word 'balding' can be translated into Spanish as perdiendo pelo.
You may also use the general term pérdida de cabello to describe the phenomenon of hair loss itself.
Meaning: becoming bald (adj)
Which one should you use?
While perdiendo pelo is a literal translation of the English participle, there are other ways to describe hair loss depending on the context: pérdida de cabello is a general description of the condition, con poco pelo describes someone with thinning hair and pelado(a) is a slang term used for someone who is bald or balding.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the state of 'balding' more naturally in a sentence, it is common to use the verb quedarse with the adjective calvo, as in se está quedando calvo (he is becoming bald).
How do you pronounce it?
/peɾdjendo pelo/
Did you know?
- In certain Latin American contexts, pelado can also be used as a slang term for a 'kid' or a 'youngster', completely unrelated to hair.
- While calvo is the standard word for 'bald', using pelado can be an insult or a joke depending on the region, as it literally means 'peeled' like a fruit.
- The Spanish word pelo shares the same ancient roots as the English word 'pile', which refers to short, fine hair on animals.
Examples in context
- La calvicie es más común en hombres que en mujeres.Balding is more common in men than in women.
- La pérdida de cabello es un fenómeno natural que ocurre con la edad.Hair loss is a natural phenomenon that occurs with age.
- Mi abuelo se está quedando calvo.My grandfather is becoming bald.
- Está perdiendo pelo por el estrés.He is balding due to stress.
- Me preocupa estar perdiendo pelo tan rápido.I am worried about balding so fast.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are looking at a photo of Alejandro's brother.
- Alejandro¿Ves a mi hermano en esta foto?Do you see my brother in this photo?
- MaríaSí, parece que está perdiendo pelo.Yes, it looks like he is balding.
- AlejandroSí, está perdiendo pelo muy rápido.Yes, he is balding very fast.
- MaríaEs algo normal a su edad.It is something normal at his age.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pelo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
