gafas de sol
/ˌɡafas de ˈsol/
The English phrase "shades" (referring to sunglasses) is translated into Spanish as gafas de sol.
The term is used to refer to sunglasses.
Meaning: sunglasses (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of gafas (glasses) and de sol (of sun).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you can use matices or tonalidades when discussing shades or tones of color. For the eyewear itself, in Mexico, you will frequently hear the word lentes used for sunglasses.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun gafas is always plural in this context, even when you are referring to a single pair of sunglasses.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌɡafas de ˈsol/
Did you know?
- One theory suggests gafas comes from the name of Muhammad ibn Aslam Al-Ghafiqi, a 12th century Arab scholar and ophthalmologist.
Examples in context
- Cuando empezaba la segunda temporada, Dima decidió que necesitaba un cambio de imagen y, buscando en el bolsillo de su armani, sacó un par de gafas de sol superguays.As Season 2 started, Dima decided that he needed a new look, and – reaching into the pocket of his Armani – pulled out a pair of supercool shades.This sentence shows how to use gafas de sol when describing someone pulling out a pair of sunglasses.Tatoeba #602598 by Shishir, translation #598675 by FeuDRenais2
- los diferentes tonos de azulThe different shades of blue
- Me gusta llevar ropa de colores oscurosI like to wear dark-colored clothes
- un verde oscuroA dark green
- un blanco brillanteA bright white
- Los matices dorados del atardecer eran impresionantes.The golden shades of the sunset were stunning.
- Prefiero las sombras más claras en mi maquillaje.I prefer lighter shades in my makeup.
- Necesito unas gafas de sol en tonos oscuros para proteger mis ojos del sol.I need sunglasses in darker shades to protect my eyes from the sun.
- Esta pintura tiene diferentes tonalidades de azul.This painting has different shades of blue.
- No encuentro mis gafas de sol.I can't find my sunglasses.
- Lleva las gafas de sol puestas.She is wearing sunglasses.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are walking along a sunny beach.
- JavierHace mucho sol, Elena.It is very sunny, Elena.
- ElenaSí, ¿tienes tus gafas de sol?Yes, do you have your sunglasses?
- JavierNo, las he dejado en el coche.No, I left them in the car.
- ElenaYo te puedo prestar las mías.I can lend you mine.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gafas de sol, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, gafas, sol, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
