orejas perforadas
/oɾexas peɾfoɾadas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "pierced ears" is translated into Spanish as orejas perforadas.
Which one should you use?
The term orejas perforadas refers specifically to the anatomical ears being pierced, whereas pendientes refers to the earrings themselves.
How do you pronounce it?
/oɾexas peɾfoɾadas/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse orejas (the external earlobe) with oídos (the internal ear/organ of hearing). For jewelry or piercings, you must use orejas.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word oreja is used to name a popular fried puff pastry, known as orejas, because the dough is shaped like a curled human ear.
- If you say you have a 'pierced ear' using the word oído, a Spanish speaker might think you are describing a medical perforation of your eardrum rather than a cosmetic jewelry placement.
- While perforar is the technical term for piercing, Spanish speakers most commonly use the phrase hacerse los agujeros, which literally means 'making the holes'.
Examples in context
- María estaba orgullosa de sus orejas perforadas y siempre llevaba aretes hermosos.Maria was proud of her pierced ears and always wore beautiful earrings.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are talking about jewelry.
- María¿Tienes orejas perforadas, Alejandro?Do you have pierced ears, Alejandro?
- AlejandroNo, nunca me he perforado.No, I have never pierced them.
- MaríaYo tengo orejas perforadas y uso aretes.I have pierced ears and I wear earrings.
- AlejandroTe quedan muy bien, María.They look very good on you, María.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
