Spanish word

cabello

Pronunciation

IPA/kaˈβeʝo/

Meaning

  • masculine nounhair

Example

Me lavo el cabello después de nadar.

I wash my hair after swimming.

Illustration for cabello (hair)

More examples

Se secó el cabello con la toalla.

He dried his hair with the towel.

Core concept

Head hair considered part of personal appearance.

Common phrases

  • lavarse el cabello

    wash one's hair

  • peinarse el cabello

    comb one's hair

  • cortarse el cabello

    cut one's hair

Similar words

pelo: Everyday hair on the head or body, typical in casual speech.
peinado: A hairstyle or the visible form of hair after combing and arranging.
melena: Long, abundant hair that falls around the head like a mane.

Definition in Spanish

Pelo de la cabeza humana considerado como un conjunto relacionado con el cuidado personal y la apariencia.

Word origin

The word comes from Latin capillus 'hair' with a Romance diminutive suffix -ellus that leads to cabellus and then to the Spanish form cabello.

Usage tips

  • Everyday conversation favors pelo and collocations like tener el pelo or llevar el pelo for hairstyle descriptions, whereas cabello appears in formal, cosmetic, or medical contexts.

Opposites

Word lists with this word