Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| rizado | /riˈθado/ /riˈsado/ |
| chino | /ˈt͡ʃino/ |
The word is primarily used to describe things that have curls, such as hair. It can also function as a noun to refer to a person or an animal with curly hair.
Which one should you use?
While rizado is the standard and neutral adjective for curly, the form chino is also used in many Spanish-speaking countries to refer to curly hair.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
rizado is the standard, neutral term, whereas chino is a common colloquial way to describe curly hair.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions, the phrase pelo chino is used instead of pelo rizado. Additionally, in Latin America, the colloquial term rulos is commonly used to refer to curls.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, rizado must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. For example, it becomes rizada for feminine singular nouns, rizados for masculine plural nouns and rizadas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/riˈθado/
Did you know?
- The verb enchinar can mean 'to pave' in certain contexts, a connection derived from the word for 'china' or porcelain.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, rulos is used to describe curls, which is a loanword likely influenced by the French word rouleau meaning 'roll'.
- Calling someone a chino in certain Caribbean regions can be a friendly nickname for anyone with curly hair, regardless of their actual ancestry.
Examples in context
- El pelo de Mary es rizado.Mary's hair is curly.This sentence is useful for describing Mary's hair using rizado.Tatoeba #5643446 by arh, translation #10330174 by LimeGreenTeknii
- Tengo el pelo rizado por naturaleza.My hair is naturally curly.This sentence is useful for saying hair is naturally curly using rizado.Tatoeba #1826743 by marcelostockle, translation #3367316 by Hybrid
- Mi primo tiene el pelo rubio y rizado.My cousin has blonde curly hair.This sentence is useful for describing a cousin's blonde curly hair using rizado.Tatoeba #1766537 by Shishir, translation #1343416 by Chrikaru
- Carolina tiene un cabello rizado y hermoso.Carolina has curly and beautiful hair.
- La modelo tiene un pelo rizado muy llamativo.The model has very striking curly hair.
- María tiene unos rulos preciosos.María has beautiful curls.
- Miguel tiene el cabello muy chino.Miguel has very curly hair.
- Cabello rizado hermosoBeautiful curly hair
- Pelo rizado salvajeWild curly hair
- Rulos pequeñosSmall curls
- Chinos rebeldesRebellious curls
- ¿Tienes el cabello rizado?Do you have curly hair?
- ¿Tus rulos son naturales?Are your curls natural?
- ¿Cómo cuidas tus chinos?How do you take care of your curls?
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are looking at photos from a party.
- Sofía¡Mira qué pelo tan rizado tiene este chico!Look how curly this guy's hair is!
- AlejandroSí, es un estilo muy bonito.Yes, it is a very beautiful style.
- SofíaA mí me gustaría tener el pelo rizado.I would like to have curly hair.
- AlejandroPues, tu pelo es muy liso, Sofía.Well, your hair is very straight, Sofía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “curly” translations and entries rizado, chino, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chino, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
