permanente
/peɾmaˈnente/
The Spanish word for the hair treatment 'perm' is permanente.
The term refers to the process of treating hair to create waves or curls using heat and chemicals. While English speakers often use 'perm' as a verb, in Spanish it is more common to use the phrase hacerse una permanente, which literally means 'to do/make oneself a perm'.
Meaning: To treat hair, to give waves, by using heat and chemicals (verb)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, the informal term Rulos is used to refer to a perm. Additionally, in some Latin American countries such as Mexico and Argentina, the phrase rizo permanente is used to mean 'permanent curl' or 'perm'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the context of hair treatments, permanente functions as a noun, whereas in English 'perm' is frequently used as a verb.
How do you pronounce it?
/peɾmaˈnente/
Did you know?
- The word permanente shares a common ancestor with the English word 'remain', both stemming from the Latin 'manere' which means 'to stay'.
- The word rizo in rizo permanente comes from the same root as the verb rizar, which can also mean 'to curl' or 'to ripple' when describing water or fabric.
- In Spain, the term permanente is the standard, but in Argentina and Uruguay, rulos is so common that permanente can sound overly technical or medical.
Examples in context
- Mi amiga quiere hacerse rulos para cambiar su apariencia.My friend wants to get a perm to change her appearance.
- Ella se hizo una permanente ayer.She got a perm yesterday.
- No quiero una permanente esta vez.I don't want a perm this time.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are talking about hair styles.
- ElenaMateo, quiero hacerme una permanente.Mateo, I want to get a perm.
- MateoTe verías muy bien con rulos.You would look great with curls.
- ElenaSí, pero me da miedo el químico.Yes, but I'm afraid of the chemicals.
- MateoSolo ve a un buen salón.Just go to a good salon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry permanente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries permanente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
