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How to Say "zit" in Spanish

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grano

GRAH-noh/ˈɡɾano/

nounA2informal
Use 'grano' for a general, common skin blemish or pimple in everyday conversation.

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/

nounB1very informal
Use 'barro' for a particularly large or unsightly pimple, often implying a more significant or noticeable blemish.
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.

Overusing 'barro'

Learners often overuse 'barro' because it sounds more descriptive. However, 'grano' is the more standard and widely understood term for a typical pimple. Reserve 'barro' for when you specifically want to emphasize a large or problematic blemish.

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