pelo enredado
/pelo enredado/from spelling rules
The English phrase "tangled hair" is translated into Spanish as pelo enredado.
This phrase describes hair that has become knotted and is difficult to comb through. You can also use the adjective enmarañado/a to specifically mean matted, or revuelto/a to describe hair that is simply messy. If you are referring to the knots themselves, use the noun enredos to mean tangles.
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective enredado means tangled or entangled and comes from the verb enredar, which means to tangle or entangle.
Which one should you use?
While pelo enredado is the standard way to describe the condition, you might see cabello enredado used to mean the same thing. Additionally, pelo hecho un lío is used specifically to mean hair that is all messed up.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because pelo is a masculine singular noun, the adjective enredado must also be in the masculine singular form to match it.
How do you pronounce it?
/pelo enredado/
Did you know?
- In some dialects, calling someone enredado can colloquially imply that they are a deceptive person who 'tangles' the truth to confuse others.
- The Spanish word pelo is a distant relative of the English word 'pile' as in a 'pile of fabric'. Both words share a root that refers to fine or short hair.
- In Spanish, the verb enredar can also be used to describe the act of 'wrapping' something, such as a baby in a blanket or a vine climbing a wall.
Examples in context
- Ella tiene el pelo enredadoShe has tangled hair
- Es importante mantener el cabello enmarañado bien aseadoIt's important to keep tangled hair well-groomed
- Quédate quieta, tu pelo está hecho un líoStay still, your hair is all messed up
- No tuviste tiempo de peinarte y llevas el cabello enredadoYou didn't have time to comb your hair, and it's tangled
- Tiene el pelo enmarañado y necesita cepillarloShe has matted hair and needs to brush it
- Su cabello está hecho un lío, parece que estuvo en una tormentaHer hair is all messed up, it looks like she was in a storm
- Mis hijas tienen el pelo lleno de nudos y no quieren desenredarloMy daughters have hair full of knots, and they don't want to untangle it
- Me desperté con el pelo hecho un líoI woke up with my hair all messed up
- Esta niña siempre tiene el cabello enredadoThis girl always has tangled hair
- Tiene el pelo enredado después de la playa.She has tangled hair after being at the beach.
- Tu pelo enredado es difícil de peinar.Your tangled hair is difficult to comb.
- El perro tiene el pelo enredado por el viento.The dog has tangled hair because of the wind.
Example conversation
Elena is helping Mateo with his hair before a photo.
- MateoCreo que tengo el pelo enredado aquí.I think I have tangled hair here.
- ElenaSí, Mateo, déjame usar el peine.Yes, Mateo, let me use the comb.
- MateoTen cuidado, no quiero que me duela.Be careful, I don't want it to hurt.
- ElenaNo te preocupes, ya casi termino.Don't worry, I'm almost finished.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pelo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
