tinta
/ˈtinta/feminine
The Spanish word for ink is tinta.
tinta refers to the coloured fluid used for writing. If you want to say that something is written 'in ink', Spanish uses the phrase con tinta, which literally means 'with ink'.
Meaning: coloured fluid used for writing (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
tinta is a feminine noun. When referring to 'the ink', you use the feminine article la, resulting in la tinta. The related verb entintar means to apply ink.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtinta/
Did you know?
- In some culinary contexts, tinta refers to a specific ingredient used to blacken rice or pasta, especially in traditional dishes from the coast of Spain.
- While tinta refers to the fluid, the Spanish word for a 'squid' is calamar, and the ink it releases is called tinta de calamar.
- The English word 'tint' is a direct relative of tinta, as both share the same Latin root for dyeing or coloring.
Examples in context
- Ésta es la mejor tinta.This is the best ink.This sentence shows how to describe the quality of a specific ink.Tatoeba #3368546 by cueyayotl, translation #2898088 by AlanF_US
- Ella escribió con tinta.She wrote in ink.This sentence demonstrates how to use the phrase con tinta to say someone wrote in ink.Tatoeba #1258374 by marcelostockle, translation #63591 by CK
- ¿Tengo que escribir con tinta?Do I have to write with ink?This sentence uses the phrase con tinta in a question about the requirement to write in ink.Tatoeba #1057676 by Shishir, translation #1042234 by yessoos
- Para el informe, necesitarás imprimirlo en tinta negra.For the report, you'll need to print it in black ink.
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are at an office supply store.
- SofíaJavier, ¿viste la tinta azul?Javier, did you see the blue ink?
- JavierNo, pero la tinta negra está aquí.No, but the black ink is here.
- SofíaNecesito mucha tinta para la impresora.I need a lot of ink for the printer.
- JavierSofía, yo buscaré la tinta azul.Sofía, I will look for the blue ink.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ink” translations and entries tinta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tinta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
