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"Intocable" is an adjective which is often translated as "untouchable", and "permanente" is an adjective which is often translated as "permanent". Learn more about the difference between "intocable" and "permanente" below.
intocable(
een
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toh
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kah
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bleh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (off limits)
a. untouchable
La condición de diplomático del embajador lo hace intocable para las autoridades locales.The ambassador's diplomatic status means he's untouchable by the local authorities.
2. (inviolable)
a. sacred
Gonzalo no quiere divorciarse porque cree firmemente que el vínculo matrimonial es intocable.Gonzalo doesn't want to get a divorce because he firmly believes that the marriage bond is sacred.
b. sacrosanct
En este país, la libre expresión es un derecho intocable.In this country, freedom of speech is a sacrosanct right.
3. (prohibited)
a. taboo
Por favor no menciones a mi exnovio; para mi familia ese tema es intocable.Please, don't mention my ex-boyfriend; that topic is taboo for my family.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
a. untouchable
Los intocables eran relegados a los oficios más bajos.The untouchables were relegated to the lowest occupations.
permanente(
pehr
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mah
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nehn
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teh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (enduring)
a. permanent
Tras probar un tatuaje de henna, decidí hacerme uno permanente.After trying a henna tattoo, I decided to get a permanent one.
2. (continuous)
a. constant
Vivo con un miedo permanente a sufrir otro ataque de ansiedad.I live in constant fear of suffering another anxiety attack.
3. (stable)
a. standing
El gobierno designó una comisión permanente para la lucha contra el fraude.The government set up a standing commission against fraud.
a. permanent
Las delegaciones de ambos países estarán reunidas en sesión permanente hasta alcanzar una resolución.The delegations of both countries will be in permanent session until they reach a resolution.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
5. (hairstyle)
a. permanent wave
El peluquero me dijo que, a largo plazo, la permanente puede dañarte el pelo.My hairdresser told me that a permanent may damage your hair in the long term.
b. perm (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Yo creo que la permanente le va más a la forma de tu cara que el pelo liso.I think a perm goes better with your face shape than straight hair.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Mi hermana se hizo una permanente antes de la boda.My sister had her hair permed before her wedding.
Esta es la segunda permanente que me hago este año.This is the second time I've had my hair permed this year.
