el color dorado
/el koloɾ doɾado/from spelling rules
The color gold in Spanish is el color dorado.
The phrase is used to describe the yellow-orange color that resembles the metal gold. The adjective dorado is used specifically to describe objects or things that possess a golden color.
What does it mean word for word?
The word dorado is the past participle of the verb dorar (to gild), so it literally means gilded or golden.
Which one should you use?
While the word oro refers to the metal itself, dorado is the adjective used to describe the color.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective dorado must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. For example, you would use dorada for feminine nouns, such as in la luz dorada (the golden light).
How do you pronounce it?
/el koloɾ doɾado/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, dorado is the common name for the Mahi-mahi fish because of its iridescent golden skin.
- The verb dorar is often used in Spanish cooking to describe the process of 'browning' meat or vegetables in a pan, similar to how one would 'gild' a surface.
- The word dorado comes from the Latin word deaurātus, which means 'to be covered in gold' rather than just having the color. This is why the word is used for things that are actually gilded, not just yellow.
Examples in context
- una puesta de sol doradaA golden sunset
- una corona doradaA golden crown
- una cadena doradaA golden chain
- un anillo doradoA golden ring
- Me encanta el color dorado de este anillo.I love the color gold of this ring.
- Prefiero el color dorado para la decoración.I prefer the color gold for the decoration.
Example conversation
María and Daniel are choosing a color for a picture frame.
- MaríaCreo que el color dorado es perfecto.I think the color gold is perfect.
- DanielTienes razón, se ve muy elegante.You are right, it looks very elegant.
- María¿Prefieres el color dorado o el plateado?Do you prefer the color gold or silver?
- DanielMe quedo con el color dorado.I'll go with the color gold.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries color, dorado, el, CC BY-SA 4.0.
