pelo castaño
/pelo kastaɲo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "brown hair" is translated into Spanish as pelo castaño.
This phrase is used to describe hair that is brown in color.
Which one should you use?
When describing hair color, use castaño specifically. While marrón is the word for the color brown in general for objects or surfaces, it is not the standard choice for hair.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you describe hair using the word melena (meaning a mane or lock of hair) instead of pelo, you must use the feminine form castaña.
How do you pronounce it?
/pelo kastaɲo/
Did you know?
- The word castaño is actually a culinary term for a chestnut, which explains why it is used to describe a specific shade of brown hair.
- The word pelo comes from the Latin pilus, which is also the root for the English word 'depilatory' used in hair removal creams.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, you might hear people use the word moreno to describe someone with dark hair or brown skin, which is more versatile than castaño.
Examples in context
- Tengo el pelo castaño.I have brown hair.This sentence is useful for saying you have brown hair.Tatoeba #730189 by Shishir, translation #436665 by lukaszpp
- Tiene el pelo castaño.He has brown hair.This sentence is useful for saying someone has brown hair.Tatoeba #2258382 by hayastan, translation #2258381 by _undertoad
- Tenía el pelo castaño oscuro.He had dark brown hair.This sentence is useful for describing someone who had dark brown hair.Tatoeba #1022940 by Shishir, translation #289824 by Dany74PL
- La señora Martínez tiene cabello castaño.Mrs. Martínez has brown hair.
- El cantante tiene un peinado elegante y cabello café.The singer has a stylish hairstyle and brown hair.
- Mi mejor amigo tiene el pelo castaño y rizado.My best friend has curly brown hair.
- Juan tiene el pelo café oscuro.Juan has dark brown hair.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are discussing a new coworker.
- Mateo¿Cómo es el nuevo compañero?What is the new coworker like?
- ElenaEs muy alto y tiene el pelo castaño.He is very tall and has brown hair.
- Mateo¿Es de ojos claros?Does he have light eyes?
- ElenaNo, tiene los ojos oscuros.No, he has dark eyes.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries castaño, pelo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
