bigote

moustache

noun bee-GOH-teh Rare

Origin: Of uncertain origin; the RAE links it to German bei Gott ('by God'), an oath used by 16th-century German soldiers in Spain.

Usage Note

Bigote refers to a moustache only, not a full beard (barba). The colloquial phrase de bigotes works as an intensifier meaning 'tremendous' — hace un frío de bigotes (it's freezing cold). Note the gender: el bigote is masculine.

Examples

"Mi abuelo siempre llevó bigote."

Natural Translation

My grandfather always wore a moustache.

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