Inklingo

How to Say "hide" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “hide” is “piel” — use 'piel' when referring to the untreated skin of an animal, often implying it's still attached or recently removed, and particularly when it's the material used for products like boots or garments.

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piel

pyehlpjel

nounB1general
Use 'piel' when referring to the untreated skin of an animal, often implying it's still attached or recently removed, and particularly when it's the material used for products like boots or garments.
A simple, square piece of rich, brown tanned leather material, showing its texture.

Examples

Las botas de piel son muy duraderas, pero caras.

Leather boots are very durable, but expensive.

Prefiero los muebles de piel sintética.

I prefer synthetic leather furniture.

Piel vs. Cuero

Mistake: “Using 'piel' when referring specifically to tough, heavy leather.”

Correction: 'Piel' often implies a softer or finer quality of leather, or simply the raw hide. If you mean thick, rough material (like for saddles or belts), 'cuero' is a better choice.

cuero

KWEH-rohˈkweɾo

nounA1general
Use 'cuero' specifically for the processed material 'leather', which is derived from animal hides and used in manufacturing goods like shoes, bags, or furniture.
A close-up view of a large, rolled-up piece of brown tanned leather material, showing the texture of the hide.

Examples

Compramos unos zapatos de cuero negro muy elegantes.

We bought some very elegant black leather shoes.

El cinturón de cuero se rompió después de muchos años de uso.

The leather belt broke after many years of use.

pellejo

peh-YEH-hopeˈʎexo

nounB1informal
Use 'pellejo' to refer to an animal's skin, especially when it's still attached to the animal or when referring to a less desirable or edible part of the skin.
A close-up of a wrinkled grape with a partially peeled skin.

Examples

No me gusta comer el pellejo del pollo.

I don't like eating the chicken skin.

Las uvas tienen un pellejo muy fino.

The grapes have a very thin skin.

Después de adelgazar mucho, le quedó algo de pellejo.

After losing a lot of weight, he had some loose skin left over.

Pellejo vs. Piel

While both mean 'skin,' use 'piel' for healthy living human skin. Use 'pellejo' for skin that is detached, loose, or on fruits and animals.

Don't use it for compliments

Mistake: “Tienes un pellejo muy bonito.”

Correction: Say 'Tienes una piel muy bonita.' Calling someone's skin 'pellejo' suggests it is loose, old, or like animal hide.

Leather vs. Untreated Skin

The most common confusion is between 'piel' and 'cuero'. While both relate to animal skin, 'cuero' almost always refers to the finished product 'leather', whereas 'piel' can mean the raw skin or the material before it's fully processed into leather.

Related Translations

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