bolígrafo rojo
/boliɡɾafo ɾoxo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "red pen" is translated into Spanish as bolígrafo rojo.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase follows the Spanish adjective placement rule where the adjective rojo (red) follows the noun bolígrafo (pen).
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must take the plural ending -s, resulting in bolígrafos rojos.
How do you pronounce it?
/boliɡɾafo ɾoxo/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American contexts, pluma means 'pen' even though it literally means 'feather'. This is a linguistic remnant from the era of quill pens.
- The color rojo evolved from the Old Spanish roxo. This spelling is still visible today in the Portuguese word for purple, roxo, despite the shift in meaning.
- While bolígrafo is the technical term, in many parts of Latin America, people simply use the word lapicero for any pen.
Examples in context
- Pásame el bolígrafo rojo.Pass me the red pen.Tatoeba #7276564 by arh, translation #7633643 by kaesekaiser
- Por favor, ¿me puedes prestar un bolígrafo rojo?Could you please lend me a red pen?
- Necesito una pluma roja para firmar este documentoI need a red pen to sign this document
- Oye, ¿me pasas el boli rojo?Hey, can you pass me the red pen?
- Necesito un bolígrafo rojo para corregir.I need a red pen to correct.
- ¿Tienes un bolígrafo rojo en tu mochila?Do you have a red pen in your backpack?
Example conversation
Alejandro is looking for a way to mark a mistake on a paper.
- AlejandroElena, ¿me prestas tu bolígrafo rojo?Elena, can you lend me your red pen?
- ElenaSí, aquí tienes mi bolígrafo rojo.Yes, here is my red pen.
- AlejandroGracias, es un bolígrafo rojo muy bonito.Thanks, it is a very pretty red pen.
- ElenaDe nada, úsalo con cuidado.You're welcome, use it carefully.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bolígrafo, rojo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
