el color negro
/el koloɾ neɡɾo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "the color black" is translated into Spanish as el color negro.
el color negro is used to refer to the darkest possible color, often associated with charcoal or the night.
Which one should you use?
While el color negro refers specifically to the color itself, the word negro can be used on its own as both the name of the color and an adjective.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, the adjective negro typically follows the noun color to describe it. Additionally, the adjective negro must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. Because color is a masculine noun, the masculine form negro is used rather than the feminine negra.
How do you pronounce it?
/el koloɾ neɡɾo/
Did you know?
- While negro describes the color, Spanish speakers use the term negrito or negrita as an affectionate nickname for loved ones, regardless of their actual skin tone.
- The phrase tener el corazón negro is used idiomatically to describe someone who is wicked or heartless, rather than referring to a physical color.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, wearing el color negro at a wedding might be seen as a social faux pas or a sign of mourning, unlike in some Western contexts where it is a fashion choice.
Examples in context
- Me gusta el color negro.I like the color black.This sentence is useful for expressing a personal preference for el color negro.Tatoeba #854558 by Leynaf, translation #4417523 by mervert1
- El vestido es negro.The dress is black.
- El coche es de color negro.The car is black.
- Este café está bien oscuro, casi negro.This coffee is really dark, almost black.
- El cielo estaba negrísimo durante la tormenta.The sky was pitch-black during the storm.
- Prefiero el color negro para mi coche.I prefer the color black for my car.
- El color negro combina con todo.The color black goes with everything.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are shopping for new clothes.
- Sofía¿Te gusta este vestido?Do you like this dress?
- AlejandroSí, pero prefiero el color negro.Yes, but I prefer the color black.
- SofíaTienes razón, el color negro es muy elegante.You're right, the color black is very elegant.
- AlejandroVamos a buscar uno negro entonces.Let's look for a black one then.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
