Inklingo

How to Say "pimple" in Spanish

English → Spanish

grano

GRAH-noh/ˈɡɾano/

nounA2general
Use 'grano' for a general, common pimple or spot on the skin. It's the most frequent and widely understood term for this type of blemish.

Examples

No te toques el grano, empeorará.

Don't touch the pimple, it will get worse.

A mi hermano le salieron muchos granos en la frente.

My brother got a lot of spots/pimples on his forehead.

Don't confuse with 'mancha'

Mistake: “Using 'mancha' to mean pimple.”

Correction: 'Mancha' means stain or discoloration (like a coffee stain). Use 'grano' or 'espinilla' for a raised blemish.

barro

/BAH-rroh//ˈbaro/

nounB1general
Use 'barro' to describe a larger, more noticeable, or perhaps more inflamed pimple. It can sometimes imply a more significant blemish than 'grano'.
A magnified illustration of pale skin texture showing a single prominent red bump or pimple.

Examples

Me salió un barro enorme en la barbilla justo antes de la fiesta.

I got a huge pimple on my chin right before the party.

Ella usa una crema especial para combatir los barros y el acné.

She uses a special cream to fight pimples and acne.

Possession for Body Parts

When talking about body parts or blemishes, Spanish often uses 'me salió' (it appeared on me) instead of 'mi' (my) to show a pimple appeared on your body.

Grano vs. Barro

Learners often wonder if there's a strict difference between 'grano' and 'barro'. While 'barro' can suggest a larger or more inflamed pimple, 'grano' is the default and most common term. When in doubt, using 'grano' is usually safe.

Related Translations

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