canas
/kanas/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'white hair' is translated into Spanish as canas.
In Spanish, canas refers specifically to the hair that has lost its pigment and turned grey or white due to aging. To say that someone has white hair, you use the construction tener canas (to have white hair). You can also describe the biological process of hair turning white using the verb encanecer.
Which one should you use?
While pelo blanco literally means 'white hair', canas is the specific, more natural term used for hair that has turned white due to aging.
How do you pronounce it?
/kanas/
Did you know?
- The phrase sacar canas verdes is used to describe a child or person who is so frustrating that they make you grow 'green grey hairs'.
- In Spanish, you can say sacar canas to mean 'to give someone grey hairs', which is an idiom for making someone feel old or stressed due to their behavior.
- The verb encanecer can be used figuratively in literature to describe a landscape or an object that has faded or become pale over time.
Examples in context
- Tom tiene canas.Tom has white hair.This sentence is useful for showing how to use canas with the verb 'tener' to describe someone's hair.Tatoeba #9177829 by eltacodemex, translation #5821655 by CK
- Las canas le dan un aire de sabiduría.The white hairs give him an air of wisdom.
- A mi padre le están saliendo muchas canas.My father is getting a lot of white hair.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a relative's new look in a cafe.
- Elena¿Viste a tu tío? Tiene muchas canas ahora.Did you see your uncle? He has a lot of white hair now.
- AlejandroEs verdad, pero le quedan muy bien las canas.It's true, but the white hair looks very good on him.
- ElenaTienes razón, se ve mucho más elegante.You're right, he looks much more elegant.
- AlejandroSí, le da un aire muy distinguido.Yes, it gives him a very distinguished look.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
