hairpin

[/ˈhɛrpɪn/]
nounpl: hairpins
pregador de cabelo
1. A thin, usually U-shaped pin used to fasten or hold hair in place
She used a hairpin to secure her bun.
Ela usou um pregador de cabelo para prender seu coque.
2. A sharp U-shaped turn in a road, typically on a mountain or hillside
The mountain road had several hairpin turns that made driving dangerous.
A estrada de montanha tinha várias curvas em U que tornavam a direção perigosa.
3. Something resembling a hairpin in shape or tightness of curve
The river makes a hairpin bend near the village.
O rio faz uma curva em U perto da aldeia.
In Brazil, 'pregador de cabelo' is the standard term, though bobby pins and hair clips are increasingly used among younger generations. The term 'hairpin turn' is commonly used in both American and Brazilian driving contexts to describe dangerous mountain roads. In Portuguese-speaking countries, the term 'mola de cabelo' reflects the older spring-type fasteners that were traditional before modern bobby pins became widespread.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
bobby pinhair cliphair fastenerU-turn

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
pregador de cabelo
most common term for the hair accessory
Brazil (informal)
grampo
colloquial alternative term
São Paulo
prendedor de cabelo
alternative form used in São Paulo
Portugal
mola de cabelo
Portuguese equivalent; literally 'hair spring'

Related Words

hairpincurveturnfastenerclasp

Related Idioms & Phrases

hairpin turn/curve - a sharp, sudden change of direction or policy
make a hairpin turn - to reverse course abruptly
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