blanqueado
/blankeado/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'whitewashed' is translated into Spanish as blanqueado.
Blanqueado describes a surface that has been treated or covered with a mixture of lime and water to make it white.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the root blanco, meaning 'white', with the suffix -eado indicating the action of applying a substance, effectively meaning 'whitened'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, the adjective must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. While blanqueado is the default masculine form, you should use blanqueada for feminine nouns, such as pared (wall). The related verb meaning 'to whitewash' is blanquear.
How do you pronounce it?
/blankeado/
Did you know?
- The root blanco is a linguistic relative of the English word 'blank', as both derive from the Germanic root for 'white' or 'shining'.
- The word blanqueado is also a common culinary term used by chefs to describe the process of blanching vegetables.
- In traditional Spanish architecture, blanquear was not just for aesthetics but served as a primitive disinfectant and insect repellent due to the caustic nature of lime.
Examples in context
- La pared fue encalada para darle un aspecto más limpio.The wall was whitewashed to give it a cleaner appearance.
- El antiguo edificio fue blanqueado para recuperar su esplendor original.The old building was whitewashed to restore its original splendor.
- Decidieron pintar de blanco la cerca del jardín para que se vea más bonita.They decided to whitewash the garden fence to make it look prettier.
- La pared fue blanqueada con cal.The wall was whitewashed with lime.
- El muro ha sido blanqueado recientemente.The wall has been whitewashed recently.
- Prefiero el aspecto del techo blanqueado.I prefer the look of the whitewashed ceiling.
- El artesano dejó el banco blanqueado.The craftsman left the bench whitewashed.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are looking at a renovated house.
- LucíaMira el muro blanqueado de la entrada.Look at the whitewashed wall of the entrance.
- MateoSe ve muy limpio, Lucía.It looks very clean, Lucía.
- LucíaSí, el color es muy brillante.Yes, the color is very bright.
- MateoA mí también me encanta.I love it too.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
