luz roja, luz verde
The English phrase 'red light green light' is translated into Spanish as luz roja, luz verde.
This phrase refers to the children's game where players move forward on a green light and must stop on a red light. During the game, a leader will use specific commands to control the players' movement: they will shout ¡Luz verde! to signal that players can move and ¡Luz roja! to signal that players must stop immediately.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation of 'red light, green light', where luz means 'light', roja means 'red' and verde means 'green'.
Which one should you use?
While luz roja, luz verde is the name of the game, the specific commands used during gameplay are ¡Luz verde! for moving and ¡Luz roja! for stopping.
Did you know?
- In Spain, the color 'red' is so culturally significant that the national football team is affectionately nicknamed La Roja, a term popularized by manager Luis Aragonés to give the team a unique identity.
- The word verde is a distant relative of the English word 'verdant' and the word 'verdure', both of which describe lush green vegetation.
- While the game is called luz roja, luz verde, Spanish speakers may use other regional variations of this game that involve counting or singing instead of light signals.
Examples in context
- Recuerden, cuando diga 'luz roja', todos paren. Y cuando diga 'luz verde', pueden avanzarRemember, when I say 'red light', everyone stops. And when I say 'green light', you can move forward.
- Jugamos a la luz roja, luz verde en el parque.We played red light green light in the park.
- ¿Quieres jugar a la luz roja, luz verde?Do you want to play red light green light?
- Los niños están jugando a la luz roja, luz verde.The children are playing red light green light.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are playing in a park.
- MateoElena, juguemos a luz roja, luz verde.Elena, let's play red light, green light.
- Elena¡Sí! Yo quiero ser la que manda.Yes! I want to be the leader.
- MateoEstá bien, tú empiezas el juego.That's fine, you start the game.
- Elena¡Luz roja, luz verde!Red light, green light!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries luz, roja, verde, CC BY-SA 4.0.
