barbería
/baɾbeˈɾia/feminine
The English word barbershop is barbería in Spanish.
Barbería is used to describe the physical establishment where hair is cut. It is a feminine noun.
Meaning: barber’s shop (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed from barber (barber) and the suffix -ía, which is commonly used to denote a place of business or a shop.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the place and the person. Barbería refers to the establishment, whereas barbero refers to the person (the barber) who works there.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, barbería is the most widely used term. The formal phrase Peluquería de caballeros is commonly used throughout Spain.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the noun is feminine, you must use the feminine article la when referring to 'the barbershop' (la barbería).
How do you pronounce it?
/baɾbeˈɾia/
Did you know?
- Historically, the barbería was not just for haircuts, but was where barberos performed surgery and dentistry. These professionals were known as barber-surgeons until the two professions officially split.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the barbería serves as a vital social hub for men to discuss local politics and sports, mirroring the cultural role of the English 'pub'.
- The word barbería is literally built from the word for 'beard', which is barba.
Examples in context
- Me pasé por la barbería.I visited the barbershop.This sentence shows how to say you visited the barbería.Tatoeba #11864357 by Seael, translation #5554873 by AlanF_US
- Deberías ir a la barbería.You should go to the barbershop.This sentence provides a suggestion to go to the barbería.Tatoeba #1252733 by wallebot, translation #950001 by CK
- ¿Cuántos barberos trabajan en esta barbería?How many barbers work in this barbershop?This sentence is useful for asking how many barberos work in a barbería.Tatoeba #1423598 by marcelostockle, translation #955000 by FeuDRenais2
Example conversation
Mateo tells María about his plans for the afternoon.
- María¿Qué vas a hacer hoy, Mateo?What are you going to do today, Mateo?
- MateoTengo una cita en la barbería.I have an appointment at the barbershop.
- MaríaEstá bien, ¿está muy lejos de aquí?That's fine, is it very far from here?
- MateoNo, la barbería está a la vuelta.No, the barbershop is around the corner.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “barbershop” translations and entries barbería, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries barbería, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
