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How to Say "peel" in Spanish

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cáscara

nounA2general
Use 'cáscara' for the outer covering of fruits and vegetables, like the rind of an orange or the skin of a potato.

Examples

La cáscara de la naranja es amarga.

The orange peel is bitter.

pellejo

peh-YEH-ho/peˈʎexo/

nounB1general
Use 'pellejo' for the thin outer layer or skin of certain foods, commonly legumes like beans or the skin of poultry.
A close-up of a wrinkled grape with a partially peeled skin.

Examples

Prefiero el pollo sin pellejo.

I prefer chicken without skin.

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.

Fruits vs. Poultry Skin

Learners often confuse 'cáscara' and 'pellejo' by using them interchangeably. Remember that 'cáscara' is primarily for produce like fruits and vegetables, while 'pellejo' is typically used for the skin of meats or legumes.

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