despelléjalo
/despeʝexalo/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "skin it" is despelléjalo.
This phrase is used when you want to instruct someone to remove the skin or hide from an animal.
Which one should you use?
The form despelléjalo is a direct command, whereas the infinitive desollarlo is used to express the general action of skinning an animal.
How does it change in a sentence?
despelléjalo is an affirmative imperative command directed at a single person using the informal tú form.
How do you pronounce it?
/despeʝexalo/
Did you know?
- In many Latin American countries, if you use despelléjalo in a colloquial sense, you might accidentally imply you are 'stripping' someone of their dignity or status. It is a much more aggressive-sounding verb than its English counterpart in certain social contexts.
- While 'skinning' in English is often a neutral verb for both animals and fruit, the Spanish command despelléjalo is almost exclusively reserved for animals with hair. For a fruit like an apple, a speaker would almost always use pelar instead.
- While despelléjalo is specific to removing hair or a coat, if you were skinning an animal to get to the meat, a butcher would almost certainly use the term desollar instead. Using the wrong one might make you sound like you are grooming the animal rather than preparing it for food.
Examples in context
- Antes de cocinar un pollo, es necesario eliminar el pellejo.Before cooking a chicken, it is necessary to skin it.
- Para disfrutar de una manzana, simplemente pélala y cómela.To enjoy an apple, simply peel it and eat it.
- ¿Me ayudas a despellejarlo? No puedo esperar para probar este pescado.Will you help me skin it? I can't wait to taste this fish.
- Si la piel está suelta, despelléjalo con cuidado.If the skin is loose, skin it carefully.
- Primero, despelléjalo para poder cocinar la carne.First, skin it so you can cook the meat.
- No pierdas tiempo, despelléjalo rápidamente.Don't waste time, skin it quickly.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are preparing food in a rustic kitchen.
- JavierSofía, la piel de este animal está muy dura.Sofía, the skin of this animal is very tough.
- SofíaTienes razón, ¿cómo debo hacerlo?You are right, how should I do it?
- JavierToma el cuchillo y despelléjalo con un solo movimiento.Take the knife and skin it in one motion.
- SofíaEstá bien, lo intentaré ahora mismo.Alright, I will try it right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
