negro
masculine
The Spanish word for "black" is negro, and Mexican Spanish uses it the same way as the standard language. It changes with gender and number: negro, negra, negros and negras.
Meaning: the darkest color (adjective)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| negro | masculine |
| negra | feminine |
| negros | plural |
The adjective goes after the noun: un coche negro, una camisa negra. Coffee without milk is café negro and a black cat is un gato negro.
How does it change in a sentence?
It must agree with the noun. Los zapatos negros is plural masculine and las botas negras is plural feminine.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often put the color first, as in negro coche. In Spanish the color follows the noun.
Did you know?
- In Mexico a jacket is often called chamarra, which is a good word to know when shopping for black clothes.
Examples in context
- Me gusta el café negro.I like black coffee.
- Compré una bolsa negra.I bought a black bag.
- Mis zapatos negros están sucios.My black shoes are dirty.
Example conversation
Paola helps her brother Luis pick a jacket in a store in Monterrey.
- Luis¿Tienen esta chamarra en negro?Do you have this jacket in black?
- PaolaSí, hay una negra en la otra mesa.Yes, there is a black one on the other table.
- LuisPerfecto, me la llevo.Perfect, I will take it.
