puro
/ˈpuɾo/
The English word "pure" is translated into Spanish as puro. Wiktionary also lists lígrimo.
Meaning: free of foreign material or pollutants (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| puro | /ˈpuɾo/ |
| lígrimo | /liɡɾimo/ (from spelling rules) |
Puro is used to describe substances that are free of foreign material or pollutants. For example, you can use it to describe colors like blanco puro (pure white) or azul puro (pure blue). In colloquial speech, the word also functions as an intensifier meaning "nothing but" or "sheer," such as when saying something is "nothing but" a certain thing.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, puro must agree in both gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use puro for masculine singular nouns, pura for feminine singular nouns, puros for masculine plural nouns and puras for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpuɾo/
Did you know?
- The phrase pura vida is the unofficial national motto of Costa Rica, used as a greeting, a farewell and a way to say everything is great.
- The word puro can also be a noun referring to a cigar. This comes from the idea of 'pure' tobacco, which is smoked without the paper wrap found in cigarettes.
- The term sangre pura (pure blood) historically referred to 'limpieza de sangre', a legal and social status in Spain used to prove a person had no Jewish or Muslim ancestry.
Examples in context
- ¿Es de oro puro?Is that pure gold?This sentence asks if an object is made of pure gold.Tatoeba #1075247 by hayastan, translation #442974 by CK
- ¡Eso es puro racismo!That's pure racism.This sentence uses puro as an intensifier to mean "nothing but" or "sheer" racism.Tatoeba #3065356 by hayastan, translation #9772417 by helloroto
- El anillo es de oro puro.The ring is made of pure gold.This sentence describes a ring made of pure gold.Tatoeba #8187777 by arh, translation #9855499 by DJ_Saidez
- Tiene una pureza inigualableIt has unparalleled purity
- Su corazón es inmaculadoHis/Her heart is pure
- La novia llevaba un vestido castoThe bride wore a pure dress
- Ese chico es puro talentoThat guy is pure talent
- Quiero beber agua pura y limpiaI want to drink pure and clean water
- Tiene un acento netamente cordobésHe/She has a purely Cordovan accent
- El oro puro es muy valiosoPure gold is very valuable
- ¿Alguien todavía habla latín puro?Does anyone still speak pure Latin?
- es puro sentido comúnIt's pure common sense
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are talking about the water in a mountain stream.
- DanielMira el agua, se ve muy puro.Look at the water, it looks very pure.
- SofíaSí, el aire aquí también es puro.Yes, the air here is also pure.
- Daniel¿Crees que podemos beber el agua?Do you think we can drink the water?
- SofíaMejor no, aunque parezca puro.Better not, even if it seems pure.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pure” translations and entries puro, 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 puro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
