lila
/ˈlila/masculine
The Spanish word for the color lilac is lila.
Meaning: color (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlila/
Did you know?
- Although lila refers to a light purple color in Spanish, its distant ancestors in Persian and Sanskrit actually described the color 'dark blue'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, lila is used to describe not just the color but the specific scent of the flower, which is culturally associated with spring and purity.
- While lila is the standard word for the color, Spanish speakers may use malva to describe a slightly pinker, pale purple shade.
Examples in context
- Los jardines del castillo están llenos de hermosas flores de color lila.The gardens of the castle are full of beautiful lilac-colored flowers.
- Me encanta cómo se ven las paredes malva en esta habitación.I love how the lilac walls look in this room.
- Cada año, los lirios de mayo florecen en mi jardín, llenándolo de colores lilas y blancos.Every year, the lilacs bloom in my garden, filling it with lilac and white colors.
- Compré una hermosa bufanda en tonos de morado oscuro, lila y rosa.I bought a beautiful scarf in shades of dark purple, lilac, and pink.
- El lila es mi color favorito.Lilac is my favorite color.
- Ese vestido es de un tono lila suave.That dress is a soft shade of lilac.
- Prefiero el lila para la decoración de la sala.I prefer lilac for the living room decoration.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are looking at paint samples for a bedroom.
- Javier¿Te gusta este tono de lila?Do you like this shade of lilac?
- LucíaSí, ese lila se ve muy elegante.Yes, that lilac looks very elegant.
- JavierPienso que quedaría bien en la pared.I think it would look good on the wall.
- LucíaEstoy de acuerdo, Javier.I agree, Javier.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lilac” translations and entries lila, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lila, CC BY-SA 4.0.
