Spanish Physical Descriptions Vocabulary

General Physical Adjectives

Describing general physical appearance, height, weight, and facial attributes in Spanish relies on specific adjectives that adjust according to gender and number. Terms describing height include alto/a (tall), bajo/a (short height), and de estatura mediana or mediana (medium height). Describing body frame and weight involves words such as grande (big), pequeño/a (small), delgado/a (thin), flaco/a (skinny), gordo/a (fat), and gordito/a (chubby).

Aesthetic appearance and general facial features are characterized using guapo/a (good looking), feo/a (ugly), and atractivo/a (attractive). Distinct complexion or physical profile attributes include pecoso/a (freckled), moreno/a (dark), pelirrojo/a (redhead), and calvo/a (bald).

Hair Descriptions (Tener el pelo)

Describing hair attributes in Spanish requires pairing the verb tener with el pelo (to have… hair). Color descriptions for hair include rubio (blonde), moreno (brown / dark), negro (black), castaño (chestnut / brown), and pelirrojo (red).

Hair length and texture characteristics include largo (long), corto (short), liso (straight), rizado (curly), and ondulado (wavy).

Eye Descriptions (Tener los ojos)

Describing eye color is accomplished by using the verb tener with los ojos (to have… eyes). The standard color vocabulary includes azules (blue), marrones (brown), verdes (green), grises (grey), and negros (black).

Physical Features and Conditions (Tener)

The verb tener (to have) is utilized to indicate specific personal attributes, conditions, and features. Examples include una figura fantástica (a fantastic figure), sobrepeso (overweight), bigote (moustache), barba (beard), and gafas (glasses).

Accessories and Facial Hair (Llevar)

The verb llevar (to wear / carry) is commonly used when talking about facial hair and worn accessories. Vocabulary items under this category include gafas (glasses), bigote (moustache), barba (beard), and perilla (goatee).