cepillo para el pelo
/θepiʝo paɾa el pelo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "hairbrush" is translated into Spanish as cepillo para el pelo.
A hairbrush is a brush used in hair care.
Meaning: a brush used in hair care (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cepillo para el pelo is composed of cepillo (brush), para (for), el (the) and pelo (hair), which literally translates to "brush for the hair".
Which one should you use?
While cepillo para el pelo is common, you can also use cepillo de pelo by replacing the preposition para with de. This is a natural and common variation. To avoid confusion, use cepillo for a tool with bristles and peine for a comb with teeth.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, cepillo para el pelo is used for hairbrush.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural to say "hairbrushes", change cepillo to cepillos to form cepillos para el pelo.
How do you pronounce it?
/θepiʝo paɾa el pelo/
Did you know?
- The word cepillo originally comes from cepo, meaning 'branch', combined with a diminutive suffix. This means a hairbrush was historically conceptualized as a 'little branch'.
- The word cepillo is used for any brush with bristles, such as a toothbrush cepillo de dientes or a scrubbing brush cepillo de limpiar.
- The diminutive suffix -illo in cepillo is a common way in Spanish to create smaller or more endearing forms of nouns.
Examples in context
- ¿Podría prestarme su cepillo de pelo?Could you lend me your hairbrush?
- ¿Dónde está mi cepillo?Where is my hairbrush?
- Necesito un cepillo para el pelo nuevo.I need a new hairbrush.
- ¿Dónde dejaste el cepillo para el pelo?Where did you leave the hairbrush?
- Este cepillo para el pelo es muy suave.This hairbrush is very soft.
Example conversation
In a bedroom during a morning routine.
- Mateo¿Has visto mi cepillo para el pelo, María?Have you seen my hairbrush, María?
- MaríaEstá sobre la mesa de noche, Mateo.It is on the nightstand, Mateo.
- MateoGracias, no lo encontraba por ninguna parte.Thanks, I couldn't find it anywhere.
- MaríaDe nada, siempre pierdes tus cosas.You're welcome, you always lose your things.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cepillo, el, para, pelo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
