cepillo
/seh-PEE-yoh/
brush
A 'cepillo' can be a general tool like a brush for grooming hair.
cepillo(noun)
brush
?general tool for cleaning or grooming
toothbrush
?cepillo de dientes
,hairbrush
?cepillo para el pelo
,clothes brush
?cepillo para ropa
📝 In Action
Perdí mi cepillo de dientes en el viaje.
A1I lost my toothbrush on the trip.
Pásale el cepillo a ese abrigo para quitarle las pelusas.
A2Brush that coat to remove the lint.
Siempre llevo un cepillo pequeño en mi bolso.
A1I always carry a small brush in my purse.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Reminder
Remember that 'cepillo' is always a masculine word, so you must use 'el' before it: 'el cepillo'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'brush' and 'comb'
Mistake: "Using 'cepillo' when you mean 'peine' (comb)."
Correction: 'Cepillo' has bristles; 'peine' has teeth. Use 'peine' for a comb.
⭐ Usage Tips
Specifying the Type
To be clear, Spanish usually specifies the type of brush using 'de' or 'para': 'cepillo de dientes' (brush of teeth), 'cepillo para el pelo' (brush for hair).
In woodworking, a 'cepillo' refers to a plane used to smooth surfaces.
📝 In Action
El carpintero usó el cepillo para dejar la tabla perfectamente lisa.
B1The carpenter used the plane to leave the board perfectly smooth.
Necesitamos afilar la cuchilla del cepillo.
B2We need to sharpen the blade of the plane.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
If you are talking about tools or wood, people will understand you mean the woodworking plane, not a toothbrush.
The verbal form, 'cepillo', means 'I brush,' such as brushing one's teeth.
📝 In Action
Yo cepillo mi pelo dos veces al día.
A1I brush my hair twice a day.
¿Qué cepillo yo ahora, la alfombra o el sillón?
A2What do I brush now, the rug or the armchair?
💡 Grammar Points
Reflexive Use
When you brush your own hair or teeth, you must use the reflexive form 'cepillarse': 'Me cepillo los dientes' (I brush my teeth).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun
Mistake: "Saying 'Yo cepillo mis dientes.'"
Correction: Use 'Me cepillo los dientes.' Spanish focuses on the action being done to the person, not just the object.
⭐ Usage Tips
Regular Verb
'Cepillar' is a regular '-ar' verb, meaning it follows the standard pattern for conjugations, making it easy to learn.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
preterite
present
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cepillo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the noun form of 'cepillo'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'cepillo' means 'brush' or 'I brush'?
If 'cepillo' is used with 'el' or 'un' (El cepillo, Un cepillo), it is the noun (the tool). If it follows 'yo' (Yo cepillo), it is the verb form meaning 'I brush'.
Is 'cepillo' used for electric toothbrushes?
Yes. You would usually say 'cepillo de dientes eléctrico' or sometimes just 'cepillo eléctrico'.