el color morado
/el koloɾ moɾado/from spelling rules
The color purple in Spanish is el color morado.
You can use the noun phrase el color morado to name the color itself, or simply use the adjective morado to describe an object. For example, other colors include azul (blue), rojo (red), verde (green), naranja (orange), amarillo (yellow), marrón (brown), gris (gray), negro (black) and blanco (white).
Which one should you use?
While morado is the most common word for purple, you may encounter púrpura, which is often used to refer to a more vivid, regal or deep shade of purple.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use the feminine form morada for feminine nouns, such as in casa morada (purple house). For masculine plural nouns, use morados.
How do you pronounce it?
/el koloɾ moɾado/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, morado is used in the phrase ponerse morado, which can mean to be breathless or to be very drunk.
- During the Lenten season in Catholic countries, el color morado is the liturgical color of penance and mourning. You will see it prominently in church vestments and banners during Holy Week.
- While both mean purple, púrpura specifically evokes the history of Tyrian purple, a dye that was once the most expensive pigment in the world.
Examples in context
- El vestido es de un hermoso tono morado.The dress is a beautiful shade of purple.
- No puedo decidir qué corbata comprar, ¿la azul o la morada?I can't decide which tie to buy, the blue one or the purple one?
- Me encanta tu habitación violeta.I love your purple room.
- ¿Te gustan los zapatos morados o los violetas?Do you like the purple shoes or the violet ones?
- Me gusta el color morado.I like the color purple.
- ¿Es el color morado tu favorito?Is the color purple your favorite?
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are looking at a painting in a gallery.
- LucíaMira, el color morado es muy intenso.Look, the color purple is very intense.
- DanielSí, Lucía, es un color muy bonito.Yes, Lucía, it is a very beautiful color.
- Lucía¿Prefieres el color morado o el azul?Do you prefer the color purple or blue?
- DanielCreo que prefiero el azul.I think I prefer blue.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
