peluca
/peh-LOO-kah/
wig
Una peluca is a wig, or artificial hair worn on the head.
peluca(noun)
wig
?artificial hair worn on the head
hairpiece
?smaller section of artificial hair
,toupee
?specifically for men's hair loss
📝 In Action
Ella se puso una peluca de color rosa para la fiesta de disfraces.
A2She put on a pink wig for the costume party.
El actor usa una peluca porque es calvo en la vida real.
A2The actor uses a wig because he is bald in real life.
¡Qué peluca tan natural! No parece falsa.
B1What a natural wig! It doesn't look fake.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Articles
Peluca is a feminine word, so you should always use 'la' or 'una' with it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Don't confuse with 'pelusa'
Mistake: "Using 'pelusa' to mean a wig."
Correction: Use 'peluca' for a wig; 'pelusa' means lint or fuzz (like what you find in your pockets).
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Wigs
When describing a wig, the adjective goes after the word: 'peluca rubia' (blonde wig), 'peluca larga' (long wig).
Peluca can also mean a scolding or a verbal reprimand.
📝 In Action
Mi jefe me echó una peluca por llegar tarde.
C1My boss gave me a scolding for arriving late.
💡 Grammar Points
Verbs for Scolding
In this sense, the word is almost always used with the verb 'echar' (to throw/give).
⭐ Usage Tips
Know your audience
This meaning is very specific to Spain. In Latin America, people might be confused if you use 'peluca' to mean a scolding.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: peluca
Question 1 of 1
Which of these would you buy at a costume store?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'peluca' ever used for natural hair?
Rarely. It almost always refers to artificial hair. However, in some slang, a person with very big or messy hair might be jokingly called 'peluca'.
How do I say 'human hair wig' in Spanish?
You say 'peluca de pelo natural' or 'peluca de cabello humano'.