Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Brush in Spanish
Cepillo · noun · seh-PEE-yoh
The Spanish word for brush is 'cepillo' for a hairbrush, clothes brush, or scrub brush. For a paintbrush, Spanish distinguishes between 'brocha' (a wide brush for walls or makeup) and 'pincel' (a fine-tipped brush for art). The verb 'cepillar' means 'to brush.'
Cepillo is pronounced seh-PEE-yoh. The double 'l' (ll) produces the 'y' sound in most Spanish dialects, and the stress falls on the second syllable.
Pásame el cepillo para peinarme antes de salir.
Pass me the brush so I can comb my hair before leaving.
brush in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for brush, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| cepillo | brush | seh-PEE-yoh | Default, widely understood |
| brocha | brush | paintbrush or makeup brush | |
| pincel | brush | fine art paintbrush | |
| cepillar | brush | verb form, to brush |
How Native Speakers Use Cepillo
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Hair care
Usa el cepillo de pelo antes de hacerte la trenza.
Use the hairbrush before braiding your hair.
Everyday grooming vocabulary.
Painting
El artista limpió sus pinceles después de terminar el cuadro.
The artist cleaned his brushes after finishing the painting.
Pincel for fine art brushes.
House painting
Necesito una brocha más grande para pintar la pared.
I need a bigger brush to paint the wall.
Brocha for wider painting applications.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Cepillo
Wrong brush type
Incorrect: Voy a pintar con el cepillo.
Correct: Voy a pintar con la brocha. / Voy a pintar con el pincel.
Cepillo is for hair and cleaning. For painting, use 'brocha' (walls, large surfaces) or 'pincel' (art, fine details).
Verb confusion
Incorrect: Voy a cepillo mis dientes.
Correct: Voy a cepillarme los dientes.
Cepillo is the noun. The verb is 'cepillar,' and brushing your own teeth requires the reflexive form 'cepillarse.'
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Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Cepillo used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using cepillo in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Pásame el cepillo para peinarme antes de salir. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About brush in Spanish
- What is the difference between cepillo, brocha, and pincel?
- Cepillo is a brush for hair, teeth, or cleaning; brocha is a wide brush for painting walls or applying makeup; and pincel is a fine-tipped brush for artistic painting — each serves a distinct function.
- How do you say 'to brush your teeth' in Spanish?
- The phrase is 'cepillarse los dientes' or 'lavarse los dientes,' with the reflexive form indicating you are brushing your own teeth.
- What is a cepillo de dientes?
- A 'cepillo de dientes' is a toothbrush, combining 'cepillo' (brush) with 'de dientes' (of teeth) to create the compound noun.