piel escamosa
/pjel eskamosa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "scaly skin" is piel escamosa in Spanish.
This phrase is used to describe skin that is dry and rough, often peeling off in small flakes.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of piel (skin) and escamosa (scaly/having scales).
Which one should you use?
The phrase piel con escamas is an alternative way to describe skin that has scales.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because piel is a feminine noun, the adjective must be the feminine form escamosa. To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must take the plural ending: pieles escamosas.
Did you know?
- In certain Latin American slang, calling someone escamoso doesn't mean they have scaly skin, but rather implies they are a 'scoundrel' or a 'shady' person.
- To describe the act of skin peeling, Spanish speakers use the reflexive verb pelarse, which literally means 'to peel oneself' like a piece of fruit.
- While piel escamosa is the standard term, a Spanish speaker might colloquially describe very dry skin as piel de cocodrilo, meaning 'crocodile skin'.
Examples in context
- Tengo piel escamosa en la pierna derechaI have scaly skin on my right leg
- Mi hijo tiene la piel escamada en su espaldaMy child has scaly skin on their back
- Tengo piel escamada en el codoI have scaly skin on my elbow
- Él tiene piel escamosa en el rostroHe has scaly skin on his face
- Tiene la piel escamosa por el frío.He has scaly skin because of the cold.
- Esta crema ayuda con la piel escamosa.This cream helps with scaly skin.
- Su piel escamosa necesita mucha hidratación.His scaly skin needs a lot of hydration.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are talking about skincare.
- LucíaAlejandro, ¿tienes la piel escamosa en las manos?Alejandro, do you have scaly skin on your hands?
- AlejandroSí, Lucía, están muy secas por el invierno.Yes, Lucía, they are very dry because of the winter.
- LucíaDeberías usar una loción hidratante ahora.You should use a moisturizing lotion now.
- AlejandroTienes razón, lo haré esta noche.You are right, I will do it tonight.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
