pelo

/peh-loh/

NounmA1

hair?on a person's head or an animal's body

Also:fur?referring to an animal's coat

📝 In Action

Mi hermana tiene el pelo largo y rubio.

My sister has long, blonde hair.

El pelo del gato está por todo el sofá.

The cat's fur is all over the sofa.

Se me está cayendo mucho el pelo.

I'm losing a lot of hair.

Word Connections

Synonyms

cabello (hair (on head))

Common Collocations

cortarse el pelo – to get a haircut
pelo liso/rizado – straight/curly hair
cepillarse el pelo – to brush one's hair

Idioms & Expressions

tomar el pelo a alguien – to pull someone's leg, to tease someone
por un pelo – by a hair's breadth, just barely
no tener un pelo de tonto – to not be a fool at all

💡 Grammar Points

One Thing vs. Many Strands

Use 'el pelo' (singular) to talk about all the hair on a head as one concept. Use 'los pelos' (plural) to talk about individual strands, like when you find a few on your shirt.

❌ Common Pitfalls

'Pelo' vs. 'Cabello'

Mistake: "Using 'pelo' when you want to sound more formal or poetic about head hair."

Correction: 'Cabello' also means 'hair' but is only for the hair on a human head. It can sound more formal or technical (like in a hair salon). 'Pelo' is the perfect word for everyday use.

⭐ Usage Tips

Beyond the Head

Remember that 'pelo' is very versatile. It works for the hair on your arms, your dog's fur, and even the fuzz on a peach.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: pelo

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'pelo' to mean 'hair'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

pelar(to peel) - verb

peludo(hairy, furry) - adjective

peluquería(hair salon) - noun

peluca(wig) - noun

peluquero(hairdresser) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between 'pelo' and 'cabello'?

'Pelo' is the general, everyday word for all kinds of hair—on your head, your arms, an animal's fur, etc. 'Cabello' is used specifically for the hair on a human head and can sound a bit more formal or technical, like what you'd hear in a hair salon ('peluquería'). When in doubt, 'pelo' is almost always the right choice.

How do I know if 'pelo' means 'hair' or 'I peel'?

Look at the words around it! If you see 'el pelo' or 'mi pelo', it's the noun 'hair'. If it's used as an action, often after 'yo' (I), like in 'Yo pelo una papa' (I peel a potato), then it's the verb. Context is key!