barbero
/baɾˈbeɾo/masculine
The Spanish word for barber is barbero. Wiktionary also lists peluquero and fígaro.
Meaning: person whose profession is cutting (usually male) customers' hair and beards (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| barbero | /baɾˈbeɾo/ | masculine |
| peluquero | /peluˈkeɾo/ | masculine |
| fígaro | /ˈfiɡaɾo/ | masculine |
A barbero is a person whose profession is cutting (usually male) customers' hair and beards (noun).
Which one should you use?
While barbero specifically refers to a barber (often focusing on beards and traditional barbering), peluquero is a more general term for a hairdresser or hairstylist. The term fígaro is a literary allusion to the character Figaro (from The Barber of Seville) and is used colloquially or humorously to refer to a barber.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of barbero is barbera. The feminine form of peluquero is peluquera.
How do you pronounce it?
/baɾˈbeɾo/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the barbero was historically a barbero-cirujano, a barber-surgeon who performed minor surgeries and tooth extractions.
- The word peluquero comes from peluca, which means 'wig'. Originally, these professionals were specialists in maintaining and styling wigs rather than just natural hair.
- While barbero focuses on beards, the word barba for 'beard' shares a root with the English word 'barb', referring to a sharp point or projection.
Examples in context
- ¿Has ido al barbero?Have you been to the barber?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has visited the barber using barbero.Tatoeba #4452301 by miren, translation #4450352 by Will
- Tom tiene su barba recortada por un barbero.Tom has his beard trimmed by a barber.This sentence shows how to describe a beard being trimmed by a barbero.Tatoeba #5833806 by albrusgher, translation #3162938 by CK
- Aún no sé por qué eres peluquero.I still don't know why you are a barber.This sentence demonstrates the use of peluquero.Tatoeba #8669349 by ajje, translation #8669351 by ajje
- El peluquero cortó mi pelo de manera excelente.The barber cut my hair excellently.
- Mi primo es barbero y siempre me deja el pelo impecable.My cousin is a barber and always leaves my hair impeccable.
- ¿Conoces algún buen peluquero en esta zona?Do you know any good barber in this area?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are discussing his hair care.
- AlejandroMaría, ¿conoces a un buen barbero?María, do you know a good barber?
- MaríaSí, Alejandro, hay uno muy cerca.Yes, Alejandro, there is one very close by.
- AlejandroPerfecto, el barbero debe ser rápido.Perfect, the barber must be fast.
- MaríaNo te preocupes, es excelente.Don't worry, he is excellent.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “barber” translations and entries barbero, peluquero, fígaro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries barbero, peluquero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
