Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cola de caballo | /ˌkola de kaˈbaʝo/ | feminine |
| coleta | /koˈleta/ | feminine |
| hopo | /opo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| kiki | /kiki/ (from spelling rules) | colloquial, masculine |
| quiqui | /ˈkiki/ | colloquial, masculine |
You can use the verb atar to describe the action of tying hair, or the verb recoger to describe the action of pulling hair back. To specify the height of the hairstyle, use cola alta for a high ponytail or cola baja for a low ponytail.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cola de caballo literally translates to 'horse's tail'.
Which one should you use?
Coleta is the most common way to refer to a ponytail, whereas cola de caballo is more descriptive and slightly more formal. For an informal alternative, you can use colita.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Cola de caballo is slightly more formal and descriptive. The terms kiki and quiqui are colloquial.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Kiki and quiqui are colloquial slang terms for a ponytail used in certain Spanish-speaking regions.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of coleta is coletas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌkola de kaˈbaʝo/
Did you know?
- While coleta is common for a ponytail, the word cola is also used in Spanish to describe the 'line' or 'queue' of people waiting at a store.
- While cola de caballo refers to a hairstyle, it is also the common Spanish name for the plant known in English as 'horsetail'.
- The word cola is a homonym with three distinct origins, referring to a 'tail' from Latin, 'glue' from Ancient Greek and the 'cola nut' from a Niger-Congo language.
Examples in context
- Mary se echó la larga coleta sobre el hombro.Mary flicked her long ponytail over her shoulder.This sentence demonstrates the use of coleta.Tatoeba #8014623 by Seael, translation #3677131 by Hybrid
- María siempre lleva el pelo recogido en una coleta para ir a trabajar.María always wears her hair pulled back in a ponytail to go to work.
- Me hice una cola de caballo para mantener mi cabello fuera de mi cara mientras cocino.I made a ponytail to keep my hair out of my face while cooking.
- Mi hija tiene el pelo largo y siempre lleva una colita en el colegio.My daughter has long hair and always wears a ponytail to school.
- En el verano, prefiero hacerme una cola de caballo para no sentir tanto calor.In the summer, I prefer to wear a ponytail to avoid feeling too hot.
- Ella lleva una cola de caballo muy alta.She wears a very high ponytail.
- Me gusta cómo te queda esa cola de caballo.I like how that ponytail looks on you.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are getting ready for a gym class.
- LucíaVoy a hacerme una cola de caballo para hacer ejercicio.I'm going to put my hair in a ponytail to exercise.
- DanielEs una buena idea para que no te moleste el pelo.That's a good idea so your hair doesn't bother you.
- Lucía¿Me puedes ayudar a sujetar la cola de caballo?Can you help me secure the ponytail?
- DanielClaro, Lucía, yo te ayudo ahora mismo.Of course, Lucía, I'll help you right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ponytail” translations and entries cola de caballo, coleta, hopo, kiki, quiqui, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caballo, cola, cola de caballo, coleta, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
