perilla
/peˈɾiʝa/feminine
The English word 'goatee' is translated into Spanish as perilla. Wiktionary also lists piocha and barba de chivo.
Meaning: beard at the center of the chin (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| perilla | /peˈɾiʝa/ | feminine |
| piocha | /ˈpjot͡ʃa/ | Mexico, feminine |
| barba de chivo | /baɾba de t͡ʃibo/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| chiva | /ˈt͡ʃiba/ | feminine |
| chivera | /t͡ʃiˈbeɾa/ | feminine |
The term refers to a beard located at the center of the chin.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase barba de chivo literally translates to 'goat's beard'.
Which one should you use?
Other forms exist depending on the specific context or region. Barba de chivo and chiva are also used to describe this facial hair style.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the word piocha is used to refer to a goatee. The term chivera also exists within the language.
How does it change in a sentence?
All provided forms for this word are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/peˈɾiʝa/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, perilla is a homonym that can also refer to a door knob or a control dial on a stove.
- The term perilla is constructed from pera, meaning 'pear', and the diminutive suffix -illa, effectively calling the beard a 'little pear'.
Examples in context
- ¿Quién es ese tipo de la perilla?Who's that guy with the goatee?This sentence is useful for identifying a person by their facial hair using perilla.Tatoeba #9976498 by manufrutos, translation #6958860 by CK
- Tom acarició su perilla y asintió con la cabeza.Tom stroked his goatee and nodded.This sentence describes a physical action involving the perilla.Tatoeba #5854019 by albrusgher, translation #5729480 by CM
- Él tiene perilla.He has a goatee.This sentence is a simple way to state that someone has a perilla.Tatoeba #5854012 by albrusgher, translation #3267387 by Ricardo14
- El hombre mayor tenía una barba candado bien cuidada.The older man had a well-groomed goatee.
- El actor lució una perilla perfectamente recortada para el papel.The actor sported a perfectly trimmed goatee for the role.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are at a cafe discussing his new look.
- Elena¡Alejandro, me encanta tu perilla!Alejandro, I love your goatee!
- AlejandroGracias, Elena. Es un estilo nuevo.Thanks, Elena. It is a new style.
- Elena¿Te la vas a cortar pronto?Are you going to cut it soon?
- AlejandroNo, quiero mantenerla así un tiempo.No, I want to keep it like this for a while.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “goatee” translations and entries perilla, piocha, barba de chivo, chiva, chivera, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries barba, chivo, de, perilla, piocha, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
