en blanco
/em ˈblanko/
The English phrase 'blank' is translated into Spanish as en blanco.
The phrase en blanco is used to describe something that is free from writing, printing or marks. In more specific formal contexts, you might use espacio en blanco to refer specifically to a blank space or gap or casilla vacía when referring to a blank box or square.
Meaning: free from writing, printing or marks (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase en blanco is literally translated as 'in white'.
Which one should you use?
While blanco is the standard adjective used to describe the color white, the specific idiomatic phrase en blanco is used when you mean 'blank' in the sense of being empty or unmarked.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase en blanco functions as an adverbial phrase used as an adjective. Because it is a fixed phrase, it does not change to match the gender or number of the noun it describes.
How do you pronounce it?
/em ˈblanko/
Did you know?
- If a Spanish speaker says they are quedarse en blanco, they aren't talking about paper. It is a common idiom meaning to suddenly forget everything you were going to say, similar to 'having your mind go blank'.
- The English word 'blank' and the Spanish word blanco are cousins. They both originate from the Proto-Germanic word *blankaz, which meant 'bright' or 'blinding'.
- In the context of gambling or the lottery, en blanco is used to describe a result where no one wins a prize or a ticket is a loser.
Examples in context
- La pizarra está en blanco.The blackboard is blank.This sentence shows how to describe a blackboard that is en blanco.Tatoeba #1829553 by marcelostockle, translation #1829575 by marcelostockle
- Deja un espacio en blanco.Leave a blank space.This sentence demonstrates the use of en blanco when discussing a blank space.Tatoeba #4555069 by swyter, translation #2267507 by _undertoad
- Deje usted esta hoja en blanco.Leave this sheet blank.This sentence provides a formal way to instruct someone to leave a sheet en blanco.Tatoeba #2259021 by cueyayotl, translation #2259020 by _undertoad
- Dejé este formulario en blancoI left this form blank
- El formulario tiene varios espacios en blanco que deben ser completados.The form has several blanks that need to be filled out.
- Dejé el papel en blanco para que lo uses después.I left the paper blank so you can use it later.
- Ella no pudo responder la pregunta, así que la dejó en blanco.She couldn't answer the question, so she left it blank.
- Después del corte de energía, la pantalla quedó en blanco.After the power outage, the screen went blank.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are looking at a notebook.
- DanielMira, esta página está en blanco.Look, this page is blank.
- ElenaEs verdad, Daniel. ¿Qué quieres escribir?It's true, Daniel. What do you want to write?
- DanielNo lo sé, mi mente está en blanco.I don't know, my mind is blank.
- ElenaTómate tu tiempo, Elena te ayuda.Take your time, Elena will help you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “blank” translations and entries en blanco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries blanco, en, en blanco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
