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"Pincel" is a noun which is often translated as "paintbrush", and "brocha" is a noun which is often translated as "brush". Learn more about the difference between "pincel" and "brocha" below.
el pincel(
peen
-
sehl
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (tool)
a. paintbrush (art)
El artista usó un pincel pequeño para finalizar el cuadro.The artist used a small paintbrush to finish the painting.
b. brush
¿Por qué no te compras un buen pincel de maquillaje?Why don't you buy yourself a good makeup brush?
la brocha(
broh
-
chah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (tool)
a. brush (for applying paint, make-up or shaving soap)
Necesito una brocha más gruesa para pintar esta pared.I need a bigger brush to paint this wall.
b. paintbrush (for painting)
Cada quien tomó una brocha y empezamos a pintar.Everyone picked up a paintbrush and we started painting.
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).
2. (colloquial) (person) (El Salvador) (Honduras)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in El Salvador
Regionalism used in Honduras
a. hanger-on
¡Luisa es una brocha! Ya no sé ni cómo decirle que se vaya.What a hanger-on Luisa is! I just don't know how to tell her to go away.
