color canela
/koloɾ kanela/from spelling rules
The English phrase "tan color" is translated into Spanish as color canela.
The phrase is used to describe a pale brown shade that resembles the color of leather or sun-darkened skin.
What does it mean word for word?
The word canela literally means "cinnamon", which is why it is used to describe this brownish shade.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, the noun color precedes the adjective canela to form the phrase. If the context of the color is already established, you can also simply say canela.
Did you know?
- The word canela is also used in the idiom ser la canela en rama, which describes someone or something that is of the highest quality or perfection.
- While English speakers use 'tan' to describe skin darkened by the sun, Spanish speakers often use bronceado, which literally means 'bronzed'.
- The word canela actually traces its roots back to the word for 'pipe' or 'reed', such as the Latin canna, because of the reed-like shape of the cinnamon sticks.
Examples in context
- Me gusta ese color canela.I like that tan color.
- Busco una chaqueta de color canela.I am looking for a tan color jacket.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are looking at rugs in a store.
- Daniel¿Qué te parece este tapete de color canela?What do you think of this tan color rug?
- ElenaEs muy bonito, Daniel.It is very pretty, Daniel.
- DanielCombina bien con tu nueva alfombra.It goes well with your new rug.
- ElenaTienes razón, vamos a comprarlo.You are right, let's buy it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries canela, color, CC BY-SA 4.0.
