piel clara
/pjel klaɾa/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'lightskin' can be translated into Spanish as piel clara.
The phrase is used to describe someone who has a fair or pale complexion.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and some other Latin American countries, the colloquial term güerito is used to describe a lightskinned person. In the Caribbean region, the terms trigueño or trigueña are used to describe someone with a light brown complexion.
Did you know?
- The word trigueño comes from the word for 'wheat', meaning a person with a complexion like the color of a wheat field.
- Depending on the region, calling someone blanco can be a literal description of fair skin or a figurative term for someone who is wealthy or high-status.
- The word piel shares a common ancestor with the English word 'pelt'. Both derive from the Latin pellis which refers to a hide or skin.
Examples in context
- Mi mejor amigo es blanquito, siempre se quema bajo el sol.My best friend is lightskinned, he always gets sunburned.
- Eres un güerito con ojos azules, ¡qué hermoso!You're a lightskinned person with blue eyes, how beautiful!
- Mi novia es trigueña, sus raíces son dominicanas.My girlfriend has a light brown complexion, her roots are Dominican.
- Ella tiene la piel clara.She has light skin.
- Mi hermano tiene la piel clara.My brother has light skin.
- Busco una base para piel clara.I am looking for a foundation for light skin.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are discussing skincare products.
- DanielElena, ¿qué crema recomiendas para piel clara?Elena, what cream do you recommend for light skin?
- ElenaTe sugiero una con protección solar alta.I suggest one with high sun protection.
- DanielEs verdad, mi piel clara sufre mucho en verano.That's true, my light skin suffers a lot in summer.
- ElenaExacto, debes cuidarte mucho del sol, Daniel.Exactly, you must take great care of yourself in the sun, Daniel.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries piel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
