cabello
“cabello” means “hair” in Spanish (on the human head).
hair
Also: lock of hair
📝 In Action
Mi hermana tiene el cabello muy rizado.
A1My sister has very curly hair.
Necesitas ir a la peluquería para cortarte el cabello.
A2You need to go to the hair salon to cut your hair.
El viento sopló y su cabello se movió libremente.
B1The wind blew and her hair moved freely.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cabello
Question 1 of 2
Which word would you use if you were talking about the hair/fur on a cat?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
This word comes from the Latin word *capillus*, which also meant 'hair of the head.' This root is where English gets words like 'capillary' (tiny, hair-like tubes).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the key difference between 'cabello' and 'pelo'?
'Cabello' is the specific, often more formal, word for the hair growing on a human head. 'Pelo' is the general word for hair anywhere—on the head, on the body, or the fur of an animal. Think of 'cabello' as a specific type of 'pelo'.
Is 'cabellos' ever used?
Yes, but rarely. Using the plural 'cabellos' is often poetic or used only when referring to a few, separate strands, like finding 'tres cabellos' (three hairs) on a shirt. When referring to the entire mass of hair on your head, stick to the singular 'el cabello'.