Inklingo
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A simple storybook illustration of the back of a person's head showing long, flowing brown hair covering the scalp.

cabello

kah-BEH-yoh

nounmA1
hair?on the human head
Also:lock of hair?when referring to a specific strand, often used figuratively

📝 In Action

Mi hermana tiene el cabello muy rizado.

A1

My sister has very curly hair.

Necesitas ir a la peluquería para cortarte el cabello.

A2

You need to go to the hair salon to cut your hair.

El viento sopló y su cabello se movió libremente.

B1

The wind blew and her hair moved freely.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • pelo (hair (general))
  • melena (long, thick hair/mane)

Common Collocations

  • cabello rubio – blond hair
  • cabello liso – straight hair
  • cuidado del cabello – hair care

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine and Singular

Even though you have thousands of strands, 'cabello' is typically a masculine word used in the singular form (el cabello). You only use the plural 'cabellos' if you are referring to specific, countable strands.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the definite article incorrectly

Mistake: "Me gusta mi cabello. (Incorrect, too common in literal translation)"

Correction: Me gusta mi pelo/cabello. (The possessive 'mi' is fine, but in Spanish, we often use the definite article 'el' when talking about body parts or hair: 'Me gusta EL cabello.')

⭐ Usage Tips

Choosing Pelo vs. Cabello

While both 'pelo' and 'cabello' mean hair, 'cabello' is preferred when discussing a person's head hair, especially in contexts related to beauty, styling, or formal writing. 'Pelo' is more general (body hair, animal fur).

✏️ 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

cabellera(head of hair (long, thick)) - noun
cabelludo(hairy/covered in hair) - adjective

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'.