tez clara
/teθ klaɾa/from spelling rules
In Spanish, light complexion is translated as tez clara.
The phrase is used to describe someone having skin that is pale or fair in color. Other ways to express similar ideas include piel clara (light skin), piel blanca (white skin) and piel pálida (pale skin).
What does it mean word for word?
The term tez means 'complexion' or 'skin tone', and clara means 'light' or 'fair'.
Which one should you use?
To describe a dark complexion instead of a light one, you replace the adjective clara with oscura to get tez oscura.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You can use cutis claro if you wish to use a more formal expression for light complexion.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The expression tez clara is commonly used in Latin America.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because tez is a feminine noun, the adjective must be the feminine form clara rather than the masculine claro.
How do you pronounce it?
/teθ klaɾa/
Did you know?
- The word tez is of mysterious origin and may be a linguistic survivor from an ancient, unrecorded root.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, describing someone as having tez clara can sometimes be a polite euphemism used to avoid the more blunt blanco or 'white'.
- While tez clara is widely used in Latin America, speakers in Spain are more likely to use the word piel to describe skin color.
Examples in context
- La señora Martínez tiene una piel clara y un cutis claro.Mrs. Martínez has light skin and a light complexion.
- Mi amigo tiene la piel clara y está bastante blanco.My friend has light skin and is quite fair.
- Ella tiene una tez clara.She has a light complexion.
- Busco una base para mi tez clara.I am looking for a foundation for my light complexion.
- Su tez clara se nota mucho en verano.His light complexion is very noticeable in summer.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are discussing makeup at a store.
- María¿Qué color de base me recomiendas?What color foundation do you recommend for me?
- AlejandroComo tienes la tez clara, esta te quedará bien.Since you have a light complexion, this one will suit you well.
- MaríaCreo que tienes razón, gracias.I think you are right, thank you.
- AlejandroDe nada, María.You're welcome, María.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tez, CC BY-SA 4.0.
