pelo rojo
/pelo ɾoxo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "red hair" is translated into Spanish as pelo rojo.
pelo rojo is used to refer to hair that is red in color. If you wish to specifically describe hair that is a reddish-orange shade, you can use pelo rojo anaranjado.
Which one should you use?
While pelo rojo describes the hair itself, the single word pelirrojo is the standard adjective used to describe a person with red hair.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective related to red hair must agree in gender and number with the person being described. Use pelirroja for a woman, and use pelirrojos when describing a group of men or a mixed-gender group.
How do you pronounce it?
/pelo ɾoxo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid combining the two terms into pelo pelirrojo. Instead, use either the phrase pelo rojo to describe the hair or the adjective pelirrojo to describe the person.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word rojo descends from the Latin 'russus', a root that also gave rise to the name of the 'Rus' people and the origin of the word 'Russia'.
- In certain Spanish-speaking regions, people with pelo rojo are colloquially referred to as colorados, which is the same word used to describe someone who is blushing.
Examples in context
- Tiene el pelo rojo y pecas.She has red hair and freckles.This sentence is useful for describing someone who has pelo rojo and freckles.Tatoeba #1690773 by marcelostockle, translation #1690538 by Spamster
- Tom tiene el pelo rojo.Tom has red hair.This sentence is useful for stating that Tom has pelo rojo.Tatoeba #9703923 by Teiruzu, translation #3170620 by CK
- ¡Mira a ese pelirrojo!Look at that redhead!
- María tiene el pelo rojo anaranjado y ojos verdes.María has reddish-orange hair and green eyes.
- Me gusta cómo le queda el cabello rojo a Laura.I like how red hair suits Laura.
- Ella tiene el pelo rojo.She has red hair.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are looking at a photo of a girl.
- Elena¿Viste a la chica de la foto?Did you see the girl in the photo?
- AlejandroSí, tiene el pelo rojo.Yes, she has red hair.
- ElenaEs un color muy bonito.It is a very pretty color.
- AlejandroTienes razón, le queda bien.You are right, it suits her.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pelo, rojo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
