arrugas
/aruɡas/from spelling rules
The English word "wrinkles" is translated into Spanish as arrugas.
The term arrugas refers to the small lines or folds of skin that appear on a person's face as they age. However, the word is also used more broadly to describe creases or folds in fabric, such as those found in clothing.
Which one should you use?
While arrugas is the standard term, you might encounter other phrases depending on the context. For instance, if you are specifically talking about the lines around a person's eyes, the informal phrase patas de gallo is used. To refer to small wrinkles in a more casual, endearing way, you can use the diminutive arruguitas.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the word is arruga. To describe something that is wrinkled, use the adjective arrugado for masculine nouns and arrugada for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/aruɡas/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, you can use arrugar as a verb not just for skin or fabric, but also to describe a feeling of shyness or intimidation. Saying someone is arrugado can mean they have 'shrunk' or backed down from a challenge.
- While arrugas refers to skin and clothes, the word pliegue is used for a deliberate fold, such as a pleat in a skirt or a fold in a brain. Using arruga for a professional pleat would imply the garment is messy.
- The phrase patas de gallo literally translates to 'rooster's feet'. This vivid imagery describes the way the lines radiate from the corners of the eyes like a bird's claws.
Examples in context
- Estaba intentando ocultar mis arrugas.I was trying to hide my wrinkles.This sentence shows how to use arrugas when talking about hiding them.Tatoeba #1881129 by radu107, translation #1880375 by CM
- ¿Te gustaría saber cómo prevenir las arrugas?Would you like to know how to prevent getting wrinkles?This sentence uses arrugas in the context of prevention.Tatoeba #1001058 by Shishir, translation #954702 by CK
- La cara de la anciana tenía miles de arrugas.The old woman's face had thousands of wrinkles.This sentence describes a face with many arrugas.Tatoeba #10106186 by manufrutos, translation #10100217 by CK
- Mi abuela tiene muchas arrugas en el rostro debido a su edad.My grandmother has many wrinkles on her face due to her age.
- El dermatólogo me recomendó una crema para reducir las líneas de expresión.The dermatologist recommended me a cream to reduce wrinkles.
- Aunque ya tengo algunas patas de gallo, no me preocupo demasiado por ellas.Even though I already have some wrinkles around my eyes, I don't worry too much about them.
- ¿Te estás preocupando por esas arruguitas? Eres hermosa tal como eres.Are you worrying about those little wrinkles? You are beautiful just the way you are.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are looking at a photo of an old relative.
- MateoMira todas las arrugas en su frente.Look at all the wrinkles on his forehead.
- ElenaSí, tiene muchas arrugas de tanto reír.Yes, he has many wrinkles from laughing so much.
- MateoEsas arrugas le dan mucha personalidad.Those wrinkles give him a lot of personality.
- ElenaEs verdad, se ve muy amable.It is true, he looks very kind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
