Meaning
To comb or brush hair.
Cultural Background
In Spain, 'pelo' is used for everything. 'Cabello' is reserved for shampoo commercials or very formal literature. Mexicans often use 'cabello' to refer to the hair on the head to distinguish it from 'pelo' (body hair/animal fur). The phrase 'peinarse' is often used as a general term for all hair grooming, even if a brush is used. In beauty contexts, 'cepillado' refers specifically to a professional blow-dry and brush service.
The 'Body Part' Rule
Remember: Spanish hates possessive adjectives with body parts. If you can touch it on your own body, use 'el/la' and a reflexive pronoun.
Pelo vs. Cabello
Don't use 'pelo' to refer to a lady's hair in a very formal setting in Latin America; 'cabello' is much more polite.
Meaning
To comb or brush hair.
The 'Body Part' Rule
Remember: Spanish hates possessive adjectives with body parts. If you can touch it on your own body, use 'el/la' and a reflexive pronoun.
Pelo vs. Cabello
Don't use 'pelo' to refer to a lady's hair in a very formal setting in Latin America; 'cabello' is much more polite.
Reflexive Placement
If you have two verbs (e.g., 'querer' + 'cepillar'), you can put the 'me' at the very beginning or the very end: 'Me quiero cepillar' or 'Quiero cepillarme'.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct way to say 'I brush my hair' in Spanish.
Yo _______ el pelo.
Spanish requires the reflexive pronoun 'me' and the definite article 'el'.
Fill in the missing reflexive pronoun.
Nosotros ______ cepillamos el pelo cada mañana.
The reflexive pronoun for 'nosotros' is 'nos'.
Match the tool to the verb.
If you use a 'peine' (comb), you use the verb ________. If you use a 'cepillo' (brush), you use the verb ________.
'Peine' comes from 'peinar' and 'cepillo' comes from 'cepillar'.
Complete the dialogue.
Madre: ¿Por qué tardas tanto? Hijo: Porque no encuentro el cepillo para ________ el pelo.
After the preposition 'para', we use the infinitive 'cepillar' and attach the pronoun 'me'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Hair Care Tools
Tools
- • El cepillo (Brush)
- • El peine (Comb)
- • El secador (Dryer)
Actions
- • Cepillarse
- • Peinarse
- • Lavarse
Practice Bank
4 exercisesYo _______ el pelo.
Spanish requires the reflexive pronoun 'me' and the definite article 'el'.
Nosotros ______ cepillamos el pelo cada mañana.
The reflexive pronoun for 'nosotros' is 'nos'.
If you use a 'peine' (comb), you use the verb ________. If you use a 'cepillo' (brush), you use the verb ________.
'Peine' comes from 'peinar' and 'cepillo' comes from 'cepillar'.
Madre: ¿Por qué tardas tanto? Hijo: Porque no encuentro el cepillo para ________ el pelo.
After the preposition 'para', we use the infinitive 'cepillar' and attach the pronoun 'me'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsTechnically, people will understand you, but it sounds very unnatural. It's like saying 'I am brushing the hair of me'. Use 'Me cepillo el pelo'.
'Peinarse' is using a comb (peine). 'Cepillarse' is using a brush (cepillo). However, 'peinarse' is often used as a general term for 'fixing one's hair'.
No, it's not rude, but 'cabello' is considered more elegant and specific to the hair on the head.
You say 'Cepillo el pelo de mi perro'. Note that you don't use 'me' because you aren't brushing your own hair.
Yes, if they have enough hair to use a brush! Otherwise, they might just use 'peinarse'.
Related Phrases
Cepillarse los dientes
similarTo brush one's teeth
Peinarse
similarTo comb one's hair
Lavarse el pelo
builds onTo wash one's hair
Cortarse el pelo
specialized formTo get a haircut
