pelo húmedo
/pelo umedo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "damp hair" is translated into Spanish as pelo húmedo.
This phrase describes hair that is slightly wet, typically after washing or showering.
Which one should you use?
While pelo húmedo specifically describes a damp state, the phrase pelo mojado implies the hair is thoroughly wet or dripping.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because pelo is masculine, the adjective must be húmedo.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the feminine adjective húmeda because agua (water) is feminine, but pelo is masculine, so the adjective must be húmedo.
Did you know?
- Spanish has several idiomatic expressions using pelo to describe extreme fear or stress, such as estarse con el pelo de punta, which means to be terrified.
- The English word 'pile', meaning a heap or a textile surface, shares the same Proto-Indo-European root as the Spanish pelo.
- While pelo refers to the hair on the head or body, Spanish uses a completely different word, cabello, to specifically refer to the hair on a human head in more formal contexts.
Examples in context
- Acabo de salir de la ducha y tengo el pelo húmedo.I just got out of the shower and have damp hair.
- Ayer lloré mucho y terminé con el pelo húmedo por las lágrimas.Yesterday I cried a lot and ended up with damp hair from the tears.
- No salgas a la calle con el pelo húmedo.Don't go out into the street with damp hair.
- No te cepilles con el pelo húmedo.Don't brush your hair while it is damp.
- Tengo el pelo húmedo después de la ducha.My hair is damp after the shower.
- El secador es mejor para el pelo húmedo.The hairdryer is better for damp hair.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are getting ready to leave the house.
- DanielMaría, ¿ya estás lista para salir?María, are you ready to go?
- MaríaCasi, pero todavía tengo el pelo húmedo.Almost, but I still have damp hair.
- DanielUsa el secador para terminar más rápido.Use the hairdryer to finish faster.
- MaríaTienes razón, lo haré ahora mismo.You're right, I'll do it right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries húmedo, pelo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
