azul rey
/aθul ɾei/from spelling rules
The English phrase royal blue is translated into Spanish as azul rey.
azul rey is used to refer to the specific color known as royal blue.
Meaning: colour (noun)
Which one should you use?
While azul real is a literal translation of the English phrase, azul rey is the much more common and idiomatic way to refer to this specific shade in Spanish.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, azul rey is used for royal blue, whereas in Colombia, azul real is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase azul rey is an invariable color name, meaning it does not change for gender or number when modifying a noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/aθul ɾei/
Did you know?
- The word azul is a linguistic descendant of the Persian word lājaward, which specifically named the lapis lazuli stone.
- The word rey comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₃rḗǵs. This makes it a very distant relative of the English word 'right' in the sense of a legal entitlement or authority.
- The word azul entered the Spanish language through Andalusian Arabic. This reflects the centuries of Arabic influence on the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages.
Examples in context
- El tapiz tiene un hermoso color azul rey.The tapestry has a beautiful royal blue color.
- Por favor, revise el informe con resaltador azul rey.Please review the report with a royal blue highlighter.
- un vestido azul reyA royal blue dress
- Me encanta ese vestido azul rey.I love that royal blue dress.
- Necesito comprar pintura azul rey para la pared.I need to buy royal blue paint for the wall.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are looking at clothes in a shop.
- Lucía¿Te gusta esta camisa azul rey, Javier?Do you like this royal blue shirt, Javier?
- JavierSí, es un color muy bonito.Yes, it is a very beautiful color.
- LucíaCreo que te quedaría muy bien.I think it would look very good on you.
- JavierGracias, Lucía, la voy a probar.Thanks, Lucía, I am going to try it on.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries azul, rey, CC BY-SA 4.0.
