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"Cepillarse" is a reflexive verb which is often translated as "to brush", and "peinarse" is a reflexive verb which is often translated as "to comb one's hair". Learn more about the difference between "cepillarse" and "peinarse" below.
cepillarse(
seh
-
pee
-
yahr
-
seh
)A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
3. (colloquial) (to have sex with) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
4. (colloquial) (to kill) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. to bump off (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Dicen que ese capo se cepilló a varios de sus camellos.Word is that drug lord bumped off several of his dealers.
5. (colloquial) (to not pass) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. to fail
Siempre se cepillan a mitad de los estudiantes en ese curso.They always fail half the students on that course.
b. to flunk (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
La profe dijo que nos cepillaría a todos si seguíamos así.The teacher said she'd flunk us all if we carried on like this.
cepillar
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
7. (to smooth)
a. to plane
Creo que necesitas cepillar la parte de arriba de la puerta un poco más para que no se trabe.I think you need to plane the top of the door a little more so it doesn't stick.
8. (colloquial) (to steal)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. to swipe (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Dejé el celular en la barra y me lo cepillaron.I left my cell on the bar and someone swiped it.
b. to pinch (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Mira que fácil sería cepillarle la cartera del bolsillo a ese chico.Look how easy it would be to pinch that guy's wallet from his pocket.
9. (colloquial) (to compliment) (Andes) (Central America) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. to flatter
Trata de cepillar al jefe un poco antes de pedirle un aumento.Try and flatter the boss a little before you ask him for a raise.
b. to butter up (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Déjalo pensar que me puede cepillar; ¡ya verá!Let him think he can butter me up. He'll see!
peinarse(
pey
-
nahr
-
seh
)A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
b. to style one's hair
Deberías peinarte de una forma que te favoreciera más.You should style your hair in a more becoming way.
c. to get one's hair done
¿Adónde puedo ir a peinarme el día de la boda?Where can I go to get my hair done on the wedding day?
peinar
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
b. to style
¿Vas a salir esta noche? Yo te peino si quieres.Are you going out tonight? I'll style your hair if you like.
c. to do someone's hair
Me encanta cómo llevas el pelo. Me tienes que decir quién te peina.I love your hairstyle. You must tell me who does your hair.
a. to comb
Peinaron el bosque en busca del niño perdido.They combed the woods looking for the lost child.
