mohawk
masculine
The English phrase mohawk can be translated into Spanish as cresta, mohawk, mohicano or iro.
Meaning: hairstyle (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mohawk | masculine | |
| cresta | /ˈkɾesta/ | feminine |
| mohicano | /moikano/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| iro | /ˈiɾo/ | masculine |
These terms refer to the mohawk hairstyle. In many Spanish-speaking countries, cresta is used to describe the mohawk style seen in punk or rock subcultures.
What does it mean word for word?
The word cresta literally means 'crest' or 'comb', referring to the ridge-like shape of the hair.
Which one should you use?
Cresta is the most common way to refer to a mohawk or any similar spiked hairstyle in everyday Spanish. In contrast, mohicano is often used to refer to the Mohawk people or the specific historical style, whereas cresta describes the physical hair shape.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the term Moicano is used to refer to a Mohawk.
How does it change in a sentence?
cresta is a feminine noun, while mohawk, mohicano and the rare term iro are masculine nouns.
Did you know?
- The word cresta is also the term used in Spanish to describe the fleshy, red comb found on the head of a rooster.
- The term iro is a shorthand reference to the Iroquois Confederacy, of which the Mohawk are a member nation.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, cresta is used to describe the peak or crest of a mountain or a wave in the ocean.
Examples in context
- Lucía tiene una cresta muy llamativa en su cabello.Lucía has a very striking Mohawk on her hair.
- Mi profesor de historia lleva un peinado mohicano.My history teacher has a Mohican hairstyle.
- Juan se rapó los lados y dejó un crestón en el centro.Juan shaved the sides and left a Mohawk in the center.
- ¿Has visto el nuevo look de María? Ahora lleva una cresta iroquesa.Have you seen María's new look? She's now sporting a Mohawk.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are talking about a new haircut.
- SofíaMateo, ¿te gusta mi nuevo mohawk?Mateo, do you like my new mohawk?
- MateoSí, te ves muy bien con ese mohawk.Yes, you look great with that mohawk.
- SofíaGracias, fue difícil de peinar hoy.Thanks, it was hard to style today.
- MateoVale la pena por el estilo.It is worth it for the style.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mohawk” translations and entries mohawk, cresta, mohicano, iro, 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.
