una persona blanca
/una peɾsona blanka/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "a white person" is translated as una persona blanca.
The phrase is used to describe a person with light-colored skin.
Which one should you use?
The phrase una persona blanca is generally more formal and descriptive than the noun un blanco, which can sometimes feel more blunt or reductive depending on the context.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the colloquial terms un güero (for a white male) and una güera (for a white female) are commonly used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective blanca must agree in gender with the feminine noun persona. You can also use the masculine noun un blanco to refer to a white person. Additionally, una blanca can function as a noun to refer specifically to a white woman.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word blanco can also be used to describe a target in shooting or archery, such as a 'bullseye'.
- The word persona shares a root with the English word 'person' and the Latin persōna, which originally referred to a theatrical mask.
- The Mexican term güero often refers to anyone with lighter skin or hair than the speaker, regardless of whether the person is actually of European descent.
Examples in context
- El informe hace referencia a una persona de raza blanca que reside en el área.The report refers to a white person living in the area.
- Ella es una persona blanca.She is a white person.
- Busco a una persona blanca para el papel.I am looking for a white person for the role.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are discussing a casting call for a movie.
- Elena¿Quién es el actor principal?Who is the lead actor?
- DanielEl director quiere a una persona blanca.The director wants a white person.
- ElenaEntiendo, ¿y el resto del elenco?I see, and what about the rest of the cast?
- DanielEllos buscan diversidad para los otros roles.They are looking for diversity for the other roles.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries persona, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
