laca
/ˈlaka/
Hairspray in Spanish is laca.
The term is used to refer to the aerosol spray used to keep hair in a particular style. To describe the action of applying the product, people often use the colloquial phrase echar laca.
Which one should you use?
While laca is the specific term for the product, you can also use the descriptive alternative spray para el pelo to mean hair spray in a general sense.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, people often use the term spray para el cabello to refer to hairspray.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun laca is feminine, so it is used with the feminine article la (e.g., la laca).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlaka/
Did you know?
- The original source of laca was not a chemical formula but a resin secreted by an insect.
- In Spanish, the word laca is used for both the aerosol spray in a beauty salon and the hard, glossy resin used in traditional Asian lacquerware.
- In certain fashion contexts, referring to laca can describe a 'stiff' or 'frozen' aesthetic result rather than just the product itself.
Examples in context
- ¿A ti no te molesta el olor de la laca?, porque yo no lo soporto.Doesn't the smell of hairspray bother you? Because I can't stand it.This sentence is useful for discussing how the smell of laca might affect someone.Tatoeba #10240160 by Seael, translation #10248598 by LimeGreenTeknii
- Disculpe, ¿venden laca para el cabello?Excuse me, do you sell hairspray?
- Necesito comprar fijador para el cabello para la fiesta de esta noche.I need to buy hairspray for the party tonight.
- ¿Me puedes prestar un spray para el cabello?Can you lend me some hairspray?
- Necesito comprar laca para la fiesta.I need to buy hairspray for the party.
- Usa un poco de laca para fijar el peinado.Use a little hairspray to set the hairstyle.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are getting ready for a wedding.
- Sofía¿Tienes laca para mi cabello?Do you have hairspray for my hair?
- MateoSí, la tengo en mi maleta.Yes, I have it in my suitcase.
- SofíaPerfecto, gracias por ayudarme.Perfect, thanks for helping me.
- MateoDe nada, te ves muy bien.You're welcome, you look great.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry laca, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries laca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
