grano
neutral, Mexico
In Mexico a pimple is a grano or, very commonly in everyday speech, a barro. Both words are understood by everyone.
Meaning: small skin spot (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| grano | neutral, Mexico |
| barro | everyday, Mexico |
People say me salió un grano or me salió un barro for "I got a pimple". Barro is the more colloquial choice, and grano is the one you will also hear from doctors and in pharmacies.
Which one should you use?
The word espinilla means a blackhead in this sense, and it also means "shin", so it is better to use grano or barro for an ordinary pimple.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both words are masculine: un grano, un barro. The plural is granos and barros.
Did you know?
- The word barro also means "mud" or "clay", which is why Mexican speakers can use it for a skin spot too.
Examples in context
- Me salió un grano en la frente.I got a pimple on my forehead.
- No te toques el barro.Do not touch the pimple.
- Tengo muchos granos y quiero ir al dermatólogo.I have a lot of pimples and I want to see a dermatologist.
Example conversation
Sofía looks in the mirror before a party and talks to her sister Ana in Mexico City.
- SofíaAna, me salió un barro enorme.Ana, I got a huge pimple.
- AnaNo lo toques o se va a inflamar.Do not touch it or it will get swollen.
- SofíaEntonces me pongo maquillaje.Then I will put on makeup.
