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barbero

bar-BEH-roh/baɾˈbeɾo/

barber

Also: hairdresser
NounmA1
General
A friendly barber in a white apron cutting a man's hair in a classic barber chair.

📝 In Action

Mi barbero siempre me deja el pelo perfecto.

A1

My barber always leaves my hair perfect.

El barbero usa una navaja tradicional para afeitar.

A2

The barber uses a traditional razor for shaving.

Había tres personas esperando en la silla del barbero.

B1

There were three people waiting in the barber's chair.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • ir al barbero – to go to the barber
  • silla de barbero – barber's chair
  • poste de barbero – barber pole

Idioms & Expressions

  • hablar más que un barbero – to talk excessively or be very chatty

suck-up

Also: flatterer
NounmB2slang
Mexico
A person offering a shiny red apple and a wide, exaggerated smile to another person.

📝 In Action

No seas barbero con el jefe, no te va a dar el aumento.

B2

Don't be a suck-up to the boss, he's not going to give you the raise.

Ese estudiante es un barbero, siempre le trae manzanas a la maestra.

B2

That student is such a brown-noser, he's always bringing apples to the teacher.

Me choca la gente barbera.

C1

I hate people who are suck-ups.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • adulador (flatterer)
  • lamebotas (bootlicker)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • ser un barbero – to be a suck-up

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "barbero" in Spanish:

barber→flatterer→hairdresser→suck-up→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: barbero

Question 1 of 3

If you are in Mexico and someone calls you 'barbero' because you're praising the teacher, what do they mean?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
barba(beard) — Noun
barbería(barbershop) — Noun
barbear(to flatter/suck up) — Verb
barbudo(bearded) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Spanish word 'barba' (beard), which comes from the Latin 'barba'. Historically, barbers did more than cut hair; they were also 'barber-surgeons' who performed minor medical procedures.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: barberFrench: barbierItalian: barbiere

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'barbero' and 'peluquero' the same thing?

Not exactly. A 'barbero' traditionally focuses on men's hair and facial hair (beards). A 'peluquero' is a more general term for anyone who cuts hair.

Can I use 'barbero' for a woman?

Usually, for a woman, you would use 'la barbera', though 'peluquera' or 'estilista' are much more common terms for female hair professionals.

Why does 'barbero' mean suck-up in Mexico?

It's believed to come from the physical action of a barber 'shaving' or 'caressing' the chin/beard area, which turned into a metaphor for 'smoothing someone over' with words.