escarlata
/eskaɾˈlata/feminine
The English word "scarlet" is translated into Spanish as escarlata.
escarlata is used as an adjective to describe the color scarlet. It can also be used as a noun to refer to the color itself or to a specific type of cloth.
Meaning: colour (adj)
Which one should you use?
Do not confuse escarlata with escarlatina, which refers specifically to the medical condition scarlet fever.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective escarlata is invariable, meaning it does not change for gender or number.
How do you pronounce it?
/eskaɾˈlata/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to use escarlatina when you mean the color. escarlatina is used for the disease scarlet fever.
Did you know?
- The root of escarlata originally referred to a 'sealed text' rather than a specific hue.
- In Spanish literature, the color escarlata often carries a heavier connotation of sin or prohibition than the general word for red, rojo.
- In Spanish, using escarlata instead of rojo often signals a poetic or formal register, making the speaker sound more literary.
Examples in context
- Tesoro es un gatito escarlata con ojos azul aguamarina que se parece un tanto a Ariel.Treasure is a scarlet kitten with aqua blue eyes who looks somewhat like Ariel.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use escarlata to describe an animal.Tatoeba #13662352 by Seael, translation #12646271 by Jakeira34
- La bandera de mi país tiene un hermoso color escarlata.The flag of my country has a beautiful scarlet color.
- El vestido que llevaba ayer era de un rojo vivo espectacular.The dress I wore yesterday was a spectacular vivid red.
- La seda escarlata es muy elegante.The scarlet silk is very elegant.
- Ella lleva una falda escarlata.She is wearing a scarlet skirt.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are looking at a fashion catalog.
- SofíaMira esta blusa escarlata.Look at this scarlet blouse.
- JavierEs un color muy intenso, Sofía.It is a very intense color, Sofía.
- Sofía¿Crees que me quedaría bien?Do you think it would look good on me?
- JavierSí, te verías muy bien.Yes, you would look very good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “scarlet” translations and entries escarlata, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries escarlata, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
