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"Pelo" is a form of "pelo", a noun which is often translated as "hair". "Crespo" is an adjective which is often translated as "frizzy". Learn more about the difference between "crespo" and "pelo" below.
crespo, el crespo(
krehs
-
poh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
1. (with tight curls)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. frizzy
Necesito usar acondicionador porque tengo el pelo crespo.I need to use conditioner because I have frizzy hair.
b. curly
Siempre le costaba domar su cabello crespo y desordenado.She always found it difficult to tame her unruly curly hair.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
2. (spiral of hair)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. curl
Un crespo asomaba por debajo de la boina de la chica.A curl peeped out from under the girl's beret.
b. ringlet
El peluquero decidió dejarme un gracioso crespo en el flequillo.The hairdresser decided to leave a cute ringlet on my bangs.
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el pelo(
peh
-
loh
)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. hair
Había un pelo en la sopa, ¡qué asco!There was a hair in my soup, disgusting!
a. hair
Mi prima tiene el pelo rubio ceniza natural.My cousin has natural ash blonde hair.
b. fur
El pelo de los osos no es tan suave como parece.Bear's fur is not as smooth as it looks.
c. coat
Tienes que cepillarle el pelo a tu perro para eliminar los pelos sueltos.You have to brush your dog's coat to remove any loose hair.
d. down
Es alérgico al pelo del melocotón.He's allergic to peach down.
e. nap
Cepilla el pelo de la manta para que se mantenga suave.Brush the nap of the blanket to keep it soft.
f. pile
Usa un spray para limpiar el pelo de la alfombra.Use a spray to clean the carpet pile.
3.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(a little)
a. dash
Añade un pelo de aceite al agua para cocinar la pasta.Add a little dash of oil to the water to cook the pasta.
b. bit
Empujé el baúl con todas mis fuerzas, pero no se movió ni un pelo.I pushed my weight against the chest, but it didn't move a bit.
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