remolino
/remoˈlino/masculine
The English phrase "cowlick" can be translated into Spanish as remolino or mechón.
Meaning: unruly lock of hair (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| remolino | /remoˈlino/ | masculine |
| mechón | /meˈt͡ʃon/ | masculine |
Remolino focuses on the circular pattern of growth, while mechón focuses on the physical strand of hair itself.
What does it mean word for word?
The word remolino literally means a whirlpool or a small whirlwind, which describes the circular motion of hair found in a cowlick.
Which one should you use?
Remolino refers specifically to the circular growth pattern of the hair. In contrast, mechón is a more general term for a lock or tuft of hair and does not necessarily imply an unruly or circular nature unless the context makes it clear.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term remolino is commonly used to talk about a cowlick.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both remolino and mechón are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/remoˈlino/
Did you know?
- The term remolino is built from the word molino, meaning 'mill', linking the circular movement of a cowlick to the rotation of a millstone.
- The suffix -ón in mechón is an augmentative, which can suggest that the lock of hair is particularly large or prominent.
- Beyond hair, remolino is the standard Spanish word for a whirlpool in water or a whirlwind in the air.
Examples in context
- Tienes un pelo parado en la parte trasera de tu cabeza.You have a cowlick at the back of your head.
- Tiene un remolino en el pelo que se ve gracioso.He has a cowlick in his hair that looks funny.
- Tiene un remolino en el pelo.He/she has a cowlick in their hair.
- Tengo un remolino en la frente.I have a cowlick on my forehead.
- Ese remolino es muy difícil de peinar.That cowlick is very hard to comb.
- El niño tiene un remolino en el pelo.The boy has a cowlick in his hair.
Example conversation
Sofía is helping Daniel get ready for a photo.
- SofíaDaniel, tienes un remolino en la frente.Daniel, you have a cowlick on your forehead.
- Daniel¿Se nota mucho?Is it very noticeable?
- SofíaSí, el remolino está muy rebelde hoy.Yes, the cowlick is very unruly today.
- DanielVoy a peinarme otra vez.I am going to comb my hair again.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cowlick” translations and entries remolino, mechón, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mechón, remolino, CC BY-SA 4.0.
