chino
hair, Mexico
In Mexico curly hair is often called pelo chino or cabello chino, and rizado is the neutral word. A curly-haired person can be called chino or china by friends. It is also called crespo.
Meaning: having small curls, said of hair (adjective)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| chino | hair, Mexico |
| rizado | neutral |
| crespo | tight curls |
Say pelo rizado to be neutral anywhere. In Mexico pelo chino is very common, and it has nothing to do with China or Chinese people here. Hair with tighter curls is crespo.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Outside Mexico the word chino for curly hair is less used, so rizado is the safe word if you are speaking with people from other countries.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective agrees with the noun: pelo rizado, rizos for the curls themselves, and una niña de pelo chino.
Did you know?
- In Mexico pelo chino has nothing to do with China or Chinese people. It is simply the everyday name for curly hair.
Examples in context
- Tengo el pelo muy rizado.My hair is very curly.
- Mi hermana tiene el pelo chino.My sister has curly hair.
- Me gustan tus rizos.I like your curls.
Example conversation
Paola and her hairdresser Marisol talk at a salon in Mexico City.
- Marisol¿Cómo quieres el corte?How do you want the cut?
- PaolaSin quitar mucho, mi pelo es muy chino.Without taking off much, my hair is very curly.
- MarisolPerfecto, cuidamos los rizos.Perfect, we will take care of the curls.
