arcoíris
everyday
In Mexican Spanish a rainbow is an arcoíris, the same word used across the Spanish-speaking world. It is written as one word or as two, arco iris, and both are understood.
Meaning: the arc of colors in the sky (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| arcoíris | everyday |
| arco iris | also written |
It is a masculine noun, so you say el arcoíris. Children learn it early, and people often point one out after rain with mira, un arcoíris.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word does not change in the plural. You only change the article, as in los arcoíris.
Did you know?
- The word arcoíris is spelled with an accent on the í because the o and í are pronounced as separate syllables.
Examples in context
- Salió un arcoíris después de la lluvia.A rainbow came out after the rain.
- Mira el arcoíris, qué bonito.Look at the rainbow, how pretty.
Example conversation
Papá and his daughter Sofía look out the window after a storm in Puebla.
- SofíaPapá, ¡mira! Hay un arcoíris.Dad, look! There is a rainbow.
- PapáSí, se ve completo.Yes, you can see all of it.
- SofíaVoy por mi cámara.I am going to get my camera.
