el color azul
/el koloɾ aθul/from spelling rules
The English phrase "the color blue" is el color azul in Spanish.
el color azul refers to the name of the color that looks like a clear sky or a deep ocean. When using the color as an adjective to describe an object, the color typically follows the noun, such as un coche azul for "a blue car".
Which one should you use?
While azul is the standard word for blue, you might use the word celeste if you want to specify a light, sky-blue color.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase el color azul, the adjective azul follows the noun color. You can use the adjective azul on its own without the word color to simply mean "blue". When describing plural nouns, the form of the adjective changes. For example, azul becomes azules to become camisas azules (blue shirts).
How do you pronounce it?
/el koloɾ aθul/
Did you know?
- The word azul is used in the common Spanish idiom estoy en azul, which can mean having a financial surplus or being in a positive budget.
- The Spanish term azul can describe the deep ocean, but it is also used in various regional slang terms to refer to the police.
- In some Latin American countries, celeste is the official color for national sports teams, such as the Uruguay national football team.
Examples in context
- Me gusta el color azul.I like the color blue.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for el color azul.Tatoeba #854477 by Leynaf, translation #1032101 by CK
- El cielo es azul.The sky is blue.
- Ella llevaba un vestido azul.She was wearing a blue dress.
- Me gustan los ojos azules.I like blue eyes.
- El bebé llevaba un pijama celeste.The baby was wearing light blue pajamas.
- Sus ojos son de un azul celeste.His/her eyes are a sky blue color.
- El color azul es mi favorito.The color blue is my favorite.
- ¿Prefieres el color azul o el verde?Do you prefer the color blue or green?
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are looking at paint samples for a room.
- DanielSofía, ¿te gusta el color azul para la pared?Sofía, do you like the color blue for the wall?
- SofíaSí, me encanta el color azul.Yes, I love the color blue.
- DanielEs un color muy relajante.It is a very relaxing color.
- SofíaTienes razón, Daniel.You are right, Daniel.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
