bigote
/bee-GOH-teh/
mustache
The word bigote refers to a human mustache, the hair growing on the upper lip.
π In Action
Mi abuelo tiene un bigote muy grande y gris.
A1My grandfather has a very big, gray mustache.
Se estΓ‘ dejando crecer el bigote para un evento de caridad.
A2He is growing out his mustache for a charity event.
π‘ Grammar Points
Gender Check
Even though 'bigote' ends in '-e,' it is a masculine noun, so always use 'el bigote' or 'un bigote'.
β Common Pitfalls
Confusing Gender
Mistake: "La bigote es muy elegante."
Correction: El bigote es muy elegante. (Remember: bigote is always masculine.)
β Usage Tips
Possession
When talking about your own mustache, Spanish often uses the definite article ('el') instead of the possessive ('mi'): 'Me corto el bigote' (I cut my mustache).
In Spanish, bigote can also mean the whiskers on an animal, like a cat.
π In Action
El gato movΓa sus bigotes para sentir el aire.
B1The cat moved its whiskers to feel the air.
Los bigotes de los ratones son muy sensibles.
B2Mice's whiskers are very sensitive.
π‘ Grammar Points
Use in Plural
When referring to animal whiskers, you will almost always use the plural form: 'los bigotes'.
βοΈ Quick Practice
π‘ Quick Quiz: bigote
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'bigote' to describe a cat?
π More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'bigote' the only word for 'mustache' in Spanish?
No, 'mostacho' is another word for mustache, although 'bigote' is generally more common and standard across most Spanish-speaking regions.
Why is 'bigote' masculine if it ends in 'e'?
The gender of nouns in Spanish often follows patterns, but there are many exceptions. 'Bigote' is simply one of those words that you must memorize as masculine (el bigote).