pintura fresca
/pintuɾa fɾeska/from spelling rules
The phrase for "wet paint" in Spanish is pintura fresca.
pintura fresca is used to warn people that paint has been applied recently and is not yet dry. The adjective fresca indicates that the paint is still wet. In the context of a warning sign, you will often see the phrase used alone as an exclamation: ¡Pintura fresca!
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally translated as "fresh paint" rather than using a specific Spanish word for "wet".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, you might encounter the specific phrasing La pintura está todavía fresca. No te apoyes. to mean "The paint is still fresh. Don't lean on it."
How do you pronounce it?
/pintuɾa fɾeska/
Did you know?
- In a slang context in some regions, calling someone 'fresco' can actually be an insult, suggesting they are being impudent or cheeky.
- The word fresco is used in the name of 'fresco' painting, a technique where pigments are applied to wet lime plaster.
- The word pintura comes from the Latin 'pictūra', which is an ancestor of the English word 'picture'.
Examples in context
- No toque la pintura fresca.Don't touch the wet paint.This sentence uses pintura fresca to provide a command not to touch the paint.Tatoeba #962707 by hayastan, translation #279381 by CK
- Hay pintura fresca en la puerta.There is wet paint on the door.This sentence uses pintura fresca to state the location of the wet paint.Tatoeba #3052999 by marcelostockle, translation #2796842 by sharptoothed
- ¡Cuidado! La pintura está fresca.Be careful! The paint is fresh.
- Asegúrate de no tocar la pintura mojada.Make sure not to touch the wet paint.
- Oye, ten cuidado, hay pintura fresca en esa pared.Hey, be careful, there's fresh paint on that wall.
- Cuidado con la pintura fresca en la pared.Watch out for the wet paint on the wall.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are walking past a newly painted wall.
- SofíaAlejandro, no te apoyes en la pared.Alejandro, don't lean on the wall.
- Alejandro¿Por qué? No pasa nada.Why? It's fine.
- SofíaMira el cartel, dice pintura fresca.Look at the sign, it says wet paint.
- AlejandroTienes razón, casi me mancho.You're right, I almost got stained.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pintura, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
