la biblioteca es roja
/la bibljoteka es ɾoxa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "the library is red" is translated into Spanish as la biblioteca es roja.
This phrase is used to describe the color of a building or a room used for storing books. You use the verb es (from ser) because the color is treated as an inherent characteristic of the building.
What does it mean word for word?
The word biblioteca is derived from the Greek bibliotheke, which means a place for books.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you may use La biblioteca está pintada de rojo to express that the library is painted red or La biblioteca se ve roja to describe the library appearing red. In Spain, you might use La biblioteca es de color rojo to describe something as being of a certain color or La biblioteca tiene un tono rojizo to describe a reddish tone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective roja must be in the feminine form to agree with the feminine noun biblioteca.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use the masculine form rojo (e.g., la biblioteca es rojo). This is a grammatical error because it fails to agree with the feminine noun biblioteca.
Did you know?
- While biblioteca means 'library', the word librería refers to a bookstore. This is a common 'false friend' that leads English speakers to accidentally tell people they are going to buy books at the library.
- The nickname for the Spanish national football team is La Roja, a term popularized by manager Luis Aragonés to give the team a distinct identity like 'the Canarinha' in Brazil.
Examples in context
- ¿Por qué la biblioteca es roja?Why is the library red?
- No recuerdo, pero la biblioteca es roja.I don't remember, but the library is red.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are walking near the university campus.
- Mateo¿Ves aquel edificio? La biblioteca es roja.Do you see that building? The library is red.
- MaríaSí, Mateo, es muy fácil de ver.Yes, Mateo, it is very easy to see.
- MateoMe gusta mucho ese color.I like that color a lot.
- MaríaA mí también, es un edificio bonito.Me too, it is a beautiful building.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries biblioteca, es, la, roja, CC BY-SA 4.0.
