de oro
/de oɾo/from spelling rules
The English word "golden" is translated into Spanish as de oro. Wiktionary also lists áureo.
Meaning: made of, or relating to, gold (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| de oro | /de oɾo/ (from spelling rules) | |
| áureo | /ˈauɾeo/ | poetic |
The phrase de oro is used to describe things that are made of gold or relate to gold. It is also used idiomatically to describe highly valuable opportunities, such as una oportunidad de oro.
What does it mean word for word?
de oro is a prepositional phrase where de means "of" and oro means "gold".
Which one should you use?
While the word dorado refers to something being golden-colored, de oro specifically implies that the object is actually made of the metal gold.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a poetic or literary effect, you may encounter the high-register term áureo. Conversely, in very informal or colloquial speech, one might use the diminutive doradito to refer to something golden.
How do you pronounce it?
/de oɾo/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, referring to a person's heart as de oro means they are exceptionally kind, rather than literally possessing a metal organ.
- The term doradito uses a diminutive suffix to describe something that is perfectly browned or golden, such as food in a pan.
- The root of oro comes from a Proto-Indo-European word meaning 'to glow', which is the same conceptual origin found in the word 'dawn'.
Examples in context
- Una llave de oro lo abre todo.A golden key opens all doors.This sentence shows how to use de oro to describe a key made of gold.Tatoeba #1456000 by Shishir, translation #2229553 by jgauthier
- El puente Golden Gate no es de oro.The Golden Gate Bridge isn't made of gold.This sentence uses de oro to clarify that a bridge is not actually made of gold.Tatoeba #1466128 by marcelostockle, translation #12940942 by araneo
- Desaproveché una oportunidad de oro.I missed a golden opportunity.This sentence demonstrates the idiomatic use of de oro to describe a valuable opportunity.Tatoeba #1859872 by Shishir, translation #272618 by CM
- La estatua está hecha de bronce dorado.The statue is made of golden bronze.
- Sus palabras parecían surgir de un cielo áureo.His words seemed to emerge from a golden sky.
- ¡Mira ese perrito doradito! Es tan lindo.Look at that little golden dog! It's so cute.
- Me encanta ese amarillo oro de tu vestido.I love that golden yellow of your dress.
- ¡Vaya reloj chapeado que llevas!Wow, that gold-plated watch you're wearing!
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are looking at jewelry in a shop window.
- JavierEse anillo es de oro puro.That ring is made of pure gold.
- LucíaEs precioso, pero muy caro.It is beautiful, but very expensive.
- JavierTienes razón, es una joya de oro.You are right, it is a gold piece of jewelry.
- LucíaBusquemos algo más sencillo, Javier.Let's look for something simpler, Javier.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “golden” translations and entries áureo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, oro, áureo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
