bigote
/biˈɡote/
The English word mustache is translated into Spanish as bigote.
bigote is a masculine noun used to describe the hair that grows on a man's upper lip. Common phrases include afeitarse el bigote (to shave the mustache), recortar el bigote (to trim the mustache), tener un bigote espeso (to have a thick mustache) and el bigote postizo (the fake mustache).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and some Central American countries, mostacho is a colloquial regional variation of bigote. In certain parts of Mexico and Central America, the diminutive form bigotillo is also used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of bigote is bigotes.
How do you pronounce it?
/biˈɡote/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not confuse bigote with barba, which means beard. bigote refers specifically to the hair on the upper lip.
Did you know?
- The word bigote is also used in Spanish to describe the whiskers of an animal, such as a cat.
- The root of bigote is linked to a gesture where men pointed to their upper lips to symbolize kissing a cross while swearing an oath.
- In various Spanish-speaking cultures, the bigote has historically been a potent symbol of masculinity and authority, often associated with military or political leaders.
Examples in context
- Se afeitó el bigote.He shaved his mustache off.This sentence is useful for describing the action of shaving the bigote.Tatoeba #838824 by Munia, translation #296263 by CK
- Él se retorció el bigote.He twirled his mustache.This sentence is useful for describing the action of twirling the bigote.Tatoeba #2216634 by Shishir, translation #2103102 by Hybrid
- Mi hermana mayor tiene bigote.My older sister has a mustache.This sentence is useful for describing someone who has a bigote.Tatoeba #4506458 by cueyayotl, translation #4506460 by Jesse
- Él tiene un bigote muy espeso.He has a very thick mustache.
- Ella siempre lleva su bigote bien recortado.She always keeps her mustache well-trimmed.
- Después de mucho tiempo, finalmente le creció un bigotillo.After a long time, he finally grew a small mustache.
- El bigotillo le da un toque de elegancia.The small mustache gives him a touch of elegance.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are looking at a photograph.
- AlejandroMira el bigote de este hombre.Look at this man's mustache.
- MaríaEs un bigote muy gracioso.It is a very funny mustache.
- Alejandro¿Crees que me quedaría bien un bigote?Do you think a mustache would look good on me?
- MaríaNo, no te quedaría bien.No, it wouldn't look good on you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bigote, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bigote, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
