acicalamiento
/aθikalaˈmjento/masculine
The English phrase "grooming" (referring to care for one's appearance) can be translated into Spanish as acicalamiento. Wiktionary also lists arreglo.
Meaning: care for one's appearance (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| acicalamiento | /aθikalaˈmjento/ /asikalaˈmjento/ |
masculine |
| arreglo | /aˈreɡlo/ | masculine |
While acicalamiento serves as a technical or formal noun for the concept, the act of grooming oneself is typically expressed using the reflexive verb arreglarse.
Which one should you use?
Acicalamiento is the technical term for the concept of grooming, whereas arreglo is more commonly used in everyday conversation to refer to the act of fixing one's appearance or getting oneself ready.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, people often use the phrase arreglo personal to refer to grooming.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of grooming or getting ready, Spanish speakers typically use the reflexive verb arreglarse.
How do you pronounce it?
/aθikalaˈmjento/
Did you know?
- The word arreglo is used in Spanish computer science to mean 'array'. This is a phono-semantic match, meaning the Spanish word was chosen because it sounds similar to the English 'array' while having its own meaning.
- While acicalamiento refers to grooming, the verb acicalar is most commonly used today to describe a bird preening its feathers or a cat cleaning itself.
- While arreglarse is used for grooming, the root verb arreglar also means 'to fix' or 'to repair' a broken object. In Spanish, the act of grooming oneself is conceptually viewed as 'fixing' or 'putting in order' one's appearance.
Examples in context
- El acicalamiento de los pájaros es esencial.The grooming of birds is essential.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are talking about a new beauty salon.
- ElenaEste salón ofrece servicios de acicalamiento completos.This salon offers complete grooming services.
- DanielMe parece ideal para mejorar mi imagen.It seems ideal for improving my image.
- ElenaDaniel, deberías probar el servicio de limpieza facial.Daniel, you should try the facial cleansing service.
- DanielTienes razón, voy a pedir una cita.You are right, I am going to make an appointment.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grooming” translations and entries acicalamiento, arreglo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acicalamiento, arreglo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
