cara grasosa
/kaɾa ɡɾasosa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "oily face" is translated into Spanish as cara grasosa.
This phrase describes a face that produces too much sebum, making the skin look or feel greasy.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of cara (face) and grasosa (oily/greasy).
Which one should you use?
You can also use cara aceitosa, which uses aceitosa (oily/oil-like) instead of grasosa. While cara grasosa refers specifically to the face, if you want to talk about oily skin in general, the more common medical or dermatological term is piel grasa.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective grasa can also be used as a synonym for grasosa to describe an oily face, resulting in the phrase cara grasa.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaɾa ɡɾasosa/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if you describe a person's appearance as grasoso, you might accidentally imply they are 'greasy' in a way that suggests poor hygiene rather than just skin texture.
- The word cara actually traces its roots back to the Ancient Greek word kára, which originally meant 'head'.
- Spanish uses the same word grasa to describe both the biological sebum of a cara grasa and the fat content in a diet.
Examples in context
- Mi piel suele ser bastante sensible y tengo un cutis graso.My skin is usually quite sensitive, and I have an oily face.
- No puedo evitar que mi rostro se ponga grasoso en verano.I can't help my face getting oily in the summer.
- Tengo la cara grasosa por el calor.I have an oily face because of the heat.
- Ese jabón es bueno para la cara grasosa.That soap is good for an oily face.
- Mi hermana siempre tiene la cara grasosa.My sister always has an oily face.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are talking about skincare in a bathroom.
- Sofía¿Tienes algún consejo para la cara grasosa?Do you have any advice for an oily face?
- AlejandroSí, usa un limpiador suave, Sofía.Yes, use a gentle cleanser, Sofía.
- SofíaGracias, Alejandro, lo voy a probar.Thanks, Alejandro, I will try it.
- AlejandroDe nada, espero que te ayude.You're welcome, I hope it helps you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cara, CC BY-SA 4.0.
