sombra
neutral, Mexico
The word for "shadow" in Mexican Spanish is sombra. It is feminine, so you say la sombra and una sombra larga.
Sombra also means shade, so buscar la sombra is to look for a shady spot, which people do often in hot parts of Mexico.
Meaning: dark shape cast when light is blocked (noun)
Which one should you use?
To talk about a shadow cast by something you can say la sombra de un árbol and for shade at a table mesa a la sombra.
When do people say it?
A shaded seat at a bullring in Mexico is called sombra and it costs more than a seat in the sun, sol.
Did you know?
- At bullrings the sunny seats are sol and the shaded ones sombra, and the mixed section is sol y sombra.
Examples in context
- Mi sombra se ve muy larga.My shadow looks very long.
- Vamos a sentarnos a la sombra.Let us sit in the shade.
- Vi una sombra en la ventana.I saw a shadow in the window.
Example conversation
Ana and her father Raúl wait for the bus at noon in Mérida.
- AnaPapá, hace mucho sol.Dad, it is very sunny.
- RaúlVente, mija. Hay sombra aquí.Come here, dear. There is shade here.
- AnaGracias. Mira mi sombra.Thanks. Look at my shadow.
