alisarme el pelo
/alisaɾme el pelo/from spelling rules
To straighten my hair in Spanish is alisarme el pelo.
This phrase is used when you want to describe the act of using a tool or a product to make curly or wavy hair straight. While alisarme el pelo is a common way to express this, you can also use planchar el cabello if you specifically mean straightening the hair with a flat iron.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb alisar (to straighten), the indirect object pronoun me (to myself) and el pelo (the hair).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the verb alaciar may be used instead of alisar to mean straighten.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, when talking about body parts, it is more natural to use the definite article el (the) instead of the possessive adjective mi (my) when an indirect object pronoun like me is already present.
How do you pronounce it?
/alisaɾme el pelo/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word pelo shares the same Proto-Indo-European root as the English word 'pile', referring to fine or short hair.
- The verb planchar used in planchar el cabello literally means 'to iron'. It treats the hair as if it were a piece of clothing being pressed with a clothes iron.
- The word cabello is often used instead of pelo when referring specifically to the hair on the head, whereas pelo can refer to any hair on the body.
Examples in context
- ¿Podrías alisarme el pelo, por favor?Could you straighten my hair, please?
- Voy a alisarme el pelo antes de la fiesta.I am going to straighten my hair before the party.
- Voy a alisarme el pelo hoy.I am going to straighten my hair today.
- Necesito alisarme el pelo para la fiesta.I need to straighten my hair for the party.
- ¿Puedo alisarme el pelo con esta plancha?Can I straighten my hair with this straightener?
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are getting ready for a wedding.
- DanielLucía, ¿tienes tiempo para ayudarme?Lucía, do you have time to help me?
- LucíaClaro, ¿qué necesitas, Daniel?Sure, what do you need, Daniel?
- DanielQuiero alisarme el pelo antes de salir.I want to straighten my hair before leaving.
- LucíaEstá bien, yo te ayudo con la plancha.That's fine, I will help you with the straightener.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, pelo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
