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"Picazón" is a noun which is often translated as "itch", and "picor" is a noun which is often translated as "itching". Learn more about the difference between "picazón" and "picor" below.
la picazón(
pee
-
kah
-
sohn
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. itch
La picazón comenzó justo después de tocar la ortiga.The itch started right after touching the nettle.
b. sting
Fue una picazón breve, pero tuve el brazo hinchado durante un par de días.The sting didn't last long but my arm was swollen for a couple of days.
c. irritation
Acudí al médico porque la picazón era insoportable y no dejaba de rascarme.I visited the doctor because the irritation was unbearable and I couldn't stop scratching.
2. (disquiet)
a. uneasiness
La picazón de Jaime por volver a ver a Nuria se le veía bien clara en la expresión.Jaime's uneasiness about meeting Nuria again was obvious from the look on his face.
el picor(
pee
-
kohr
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. itching
Ponle crema a las picaduras para calmar el picor.Put cream on the bites to relieve the itching.
b. itch
Divina sentía un deseo de rascarse el picor que le irritaba la espalda mientras la entrevistaban.Divina felt the urge to scratch an annoying itch on her back while she was being interviewed.
c. irritation
El picor que sientes en la garganta puede ser causado por el polen.The irritation you feel in your throat could be caused by pollen.
d. stinging
Normalmente, si te pinchas con unas ortigas, el picor pasa bastante pronto.Normally, if you get stung by nettles, the stinging should pass relatively quickly.
e. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Sentí un picor por todo el cuerpo después de comer esos mariscos.I was itching all over after having that seafood.
Tengo un picor tremendo en la cabeza.My head is really itchy.
a. spiciness
La lista de salsas en el menú está ordenada de acuerdo al nivel de picor.Sauces on the menu are listed according to level of spiciness.
b. heat
Si necesita reducir el picor del plato, puede añadirle un poco de jugo de limón.If you need to reduce the heat of the dish, you can add a bit of lime juice to it.
