Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| vitral | /bitɾal/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| vidrio de color | /bidɾjo de koloɾ/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
Vitral is a term specifically used for the artistic medium of stained glass. It is the most common term used by architects and art historians to describe these decorative pieces. In contrast, vidrio de color is a more literal and descriptive way to say 'colored glass', referring generally to any piece of glass that has color.
Which one should you use?
Use vitral when referring to the specific artistic and decorative windows often found in cathedrals or churches. Use the descriptive vidrio de color when you simply want to describe any glass that is colored, rather than a specific work of art.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term vidriera emplomada is used to describe traditional stained glass windows.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of vitral is vitrales.
How do you pronounce it?
/bitɾal/
Did you know?
- The root of the word color comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *ḱel-, which originally meant 'to cover' or 'conceal'.
Examples in context
- El vidrio de color pintaba imágenes de colores en el suelo de la iglesia.The stained glass painted colorful pictures on the church floor.This sentence shows how vidrio de color can be used to describe light casting colorful images.Tatoeba #6397692 by mervert1, translation #2760149 by mervert1
- Me encanta la vidriería artística. Los vitrales en la catedral son impresionantes.I love stained glass art. The stained glass windows in the cathedral are breathtaking.
- Esta iglesia tiene unas vidrieras emplomadas maravillosas.This church has beautiful stained glass windows.
- El vitral de la catedral es impresionante.The stained glass of the cathedral is impressive.
- Ella diseñó un vitral para la nueva capilla.She designed a stained glass for the new chapel.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are visiting a museum.
- MateoMira Sofía, ese vitral es hermoso.Look Sofía, that stained glass is beautiful.
- SofíaEs verdad, los colores son increíbles.It's true, the colors are incredible.
- MateoMe pregunto quién diseñó el vitral.I wonder who designed the stained glass.
- SofíaEl cartel dice que es anónimo.The sign says it is anonymous.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stained glass” translations and entries vitral, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries color, de, vidrio, vitral, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
