péinate
/peinate/from spelling rules
The phrase "comb your hair" in Spanish is péinate.
This phrase is used to instruct someone to arrange or tidy their hair using a comb or brush. You may also use the phrase arregla tu cabello to say "fix your hair".
Which one should you use?
The form péinate is reflexive, which implies you are instructing someone to comb their own hair. In contrast, using the non-reflexive form peina would imply you are telling someone to comb someone else's hair.
How do you pronounce it?
/peinate/
Did you know?
- While peinar is the standard verb, in some Caribbean dialects, people use the word peinar to mean 'to search' or 'to look through' something thoroughly.
- The word peine for 'comb' shares a linguistic root with the Latin word for 'comb', but in several Spanish dialects, the same root appears in terms for specific types of weaving tools.
- While péinate is the common command, in some regions, saying estás despeinado is used as a gentle nudge to comb your hair without actually giving an order.
Examples in context
- Péinate.Comb your hair.This sentence is useful for practicing the command péinate.Tatoeba #7901056 by arh, translation #5825659 by CK
- Péinate antes de salir.Comb your hair before you go out.This sentence shows how to use péinate in a sentence involving going out.Tatoeba #865707 by jorgearestrepo, translation #21859 by CK
- Por favor, péinese el cabello antes de la reunión.Please comb your hair before the meeting.
- Péinate un poco, que tienes el pelo despeinado.Comb your hair a little, it is messy.
Example conversation
A mother is getting her son ready for a photo.
- MaríaJavier, péinate bien para la foto.Javier, comb your hair well for the photo.
- JavierYa lo hice, mamá.I already did it, mom.
- MaríaPero todavía tienes un mechón rebelde.But you still have a stray lock of hair.
- JavierEstá bien, lo arreglaré ahora.Okay, I will fix it now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
