quemadura solar
/kemaduɾa solaɾ/from spelling rulesfeminine
The English phrase 'sunburn' is quemadura solar in Spanish. Wiktionary also lists quemadura de piel and quemadura.
Meaning: burn on skin (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| quemadura solar | /kemaduɾa solaɾ/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| quemadura de piel | /kemaduɾa de pjel/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| quemadura | /kemaˈduɾa/ | feminine |
The term is used to describe a burn on the skin caused by the sun. To describe the action of receiving a sunburn, Spanish speakers often use the reflexive verb quemarse la piel. For prevention, the standard term for sunscreen is protector solar.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase quemadura solar is composed of quemadura (burn) and solar (solar or relating to the sun).
Which one should you use?
While quemadura solar specifically refers to a sunburn, the word quemadura on its own can refer to any type of burn, such as a heat burn from a stove. Quemadura de piel is another way to specify a skin burn.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural 'sunburns', use quemaduras de sol. All the provided forms are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/kemaduɾa solaɾ/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, instead of using the medical term, people colloquially use estar tostado to describe being sunburnt, which literally means 'to be toasted'.
- The word solar in Spanish is a homonym that can mean 'relating to the sun' or 'relating to a plot of land' or 'ground'.
- The word piel for 'skin' is a distant relative of the English word 'pelt', as both descend from the Latin pellis.
Examples in context
- Me duele la quemadura.My sunburn hurts.This sentence uses quemadura to show how a sunburn can feel painful.Tatoeba #1871773 by marcelostockle, translation #281135 by CK
- Si no quieres ponerte protector solar es tu problema, pero no vengas a quejarte conmigo cuando tengas quemaduras de sol.If you don't want to put on sunscreen, that's your problem. Just don't come complaining to me when you get a sunburn.This sentence uses quemadura in its plural form to discuss the consequences of not using sunscreen.Tatoeba #180568 by cueyayotl, translation #1684 by CM
- Necesito loción para las quemaduras del sol.I need sunburn lotion.This sentence uses quemadura to specify the type of lotion needed for a sun-related burn.Tatoeba #436884 by lukaszpp, translation #436883 by lukaszpp
- Tengo una quemadura solar en los hombros. ¿Tiene alguna loción refrescante?I have a sunburn on my shoulders. Do you have any soothing lotion?
- ¡Me quemé de sol en la playa! ¿Tienes algún remedio casero?I got sunburnt at the beach! Do you have any home remedies?
- Tengo el cogote quemado, ¡me olvidé de ponerme protector solar!I have sunburn on my neck, I forgot to apply sunscreen!
- Me pelé por la quemadura del sol y ahora parezco una culebra mudando de piel.I'm peeling because of the sunburn, and now I look like a snake shedding its skin.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Javier are at the beach.
- MaríaJavier, tienes una quemadura solar en los hombros.Javier, you have a sunburn on your shoulders.
- JavierSí, me olvidé de ponerme la crema.Yes, I forgot to put on the cream.
- MaríaEsa quemadura solar se ve muy roja.That sunburn looks very red.
- JavierVoy a buscar algo para refrescar la piel.I'm going to look for something to cool the skin.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sunburn” translations and entries quemadura, 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 de, piel, quemadura, solar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
