Learn Spanish Vocabulary: Common Colors

Color brings life to our world, and learning to name and identify colors is a basic yet essential part of mastering a new language. In this article, we’re going to cover the Spanish vocabulary for common colors.

Basic Colors

1. Rojo (Red): This vibrant color shares its name with Spain’s famous ‘Running of the Bulls’ festival, known as “Sanfermines,” where red scarves are traditionally worn.
2. Azul (Blue): A calm and serene color, ‘azul’ describes the color of the sea and the sky.
3. Verde (Green): Whether you’re talking about lush landscapes or environmental initiatives, ‘verde’ will come in handy.
4. Amarillo (Yellow): The color of sunshine and ripe bananas, ‘amarillo’ is a cheerful addition to your vocabulary.
5. Negro (Black): The universal color of elegance, ‘negro’ is a must-know word in Spanish.
6. Blanco (White): From fluffy clouds to white sand beaches, ‘blanco’ is an essential color term.

Secondary and Other Common Colors

7. Morado/Violeta (Purple): Both words are used to describe the color purple, with ‘morado’ being more common in Spain and ‘violeta’ in Latin America.
8. Naranja (Orange): ‘Naranja’ doubles as the name for both the fruit and the color orange.
9. Rosa (Pink): Named after the flower of the same name, ‘rosa’ is the term for pink.
10. Gris (Gray): Whether you’re describing a cloudy sky or a color on a palette, ‘gris’ is the word for gray.
11. Marrón/Café (Brown): Both ‘marrón’ and ‘café’ are used to describe the color brown. ‘Marrón’ is commonly used in Spain, while ‘café’ is frequently used in Latin America.
12. Dorado (Gold): Referring to the color and the precious metal, ‘dorado’ is Spanish for gold.
13. Plateado (Silver): Similarly, ‘plateado’ refers to both the color silver and the metallic element.

Adding color to your conversations not only enriches your Spanish vocabulary but also enhances the vividness of your descriptions. Whether you’re describing an artwork or choosing the perfect shirt, these color terms will help you express yourself more fully in Spanish. Remember, practice makes perfect, so try to use these new words in your daily conversations.

Check out our series of Complete Spanish Grammar articles – everything you’ll ever need to know about Spanish grammar.

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