Colors in Spanish
Colors are adjectives, so they follow the same rules as other Spanish adjectives. They come after the noun and agree with it in gender and number. Learn the colors in groups, and the agreement will start to feel automatic.
Quick answer
- Colors go after the noun: una casa blanca (a white house)
- Colors ending in -o change with gender and number: rojo, roja, rojos, rojas
- Colors ending in -e or a consonant only change for number: verde, verdes, azul, azules
The basic colors
These are the colors you will use every day. In Mexico, brown is usually café, while Spain says marrón. Both are understood everywhere.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| rojo | red |
| azul | blue |
| amarillo | yellow |
| verde | green |
| negro | black |
| blanco | white |
| gris | gray |
| naranja | orange |
| morado | purple |
| rosa | pink |
| café | brown (Mexico) |
Examples
- El cielo es azul.The sky is blue.Azul stays the same for masculine and feminine.
- Me gusta la camisa roja.I like the red shirt.Roja matches camisa.
- Tengo dos gatos negros.I have two black cats.Plural: negros.
- Mi coche es gris.My car is gray.Gris only changes for plural.
Agreement: how colors change
Colors that end in -o have four forms. Colors that end in -e or a consonant have two forms. A few, like rosa and naranja, usually stay the same in the plural when used as colors, but you will also see rosas and naranjas in everyday speech.
| Type | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| -o colors | rojo / roja | rojos / rojas |
| -e colors | verde | verdes |
| consonant colors | azul, gris | azules, grises |
Examples
- Los zapatos blancos están sucios.The white shoes are dirty.Plural masculine.
- Las flores amarillas son para ti.The yellow flowers are for you.Plural feminine.
- Compré unos pantalones azules.I bought blue pants.Azul becomes azules.
Light, dark, and combined colors
To say light or dark, add claro or oscuro after the color. The color then stays in the singular form: una camisa azul claro. To describe a color in more detail, you can also use de color plus the color.
Examples
- Quiero una camisa azul claro.I want a light blue shirt.Azul claro does not change.
- Mi cuarto es verde oscuro.My room is dark green.Verde oscuro.
- ¿De qué color es tu coche?What color is your car?Asking about color.
Colors in sentences
Use ser to say what color something is. Use estar only for a temporary change, such as a face turning red. Colors also form phrases, like ponerse rojo (to blush) and estar verde (to be unripe).
Examples
- Mi bandera favorita es verde, blanca y roja.My favorite flag is green, white, and red.Mexico’s flag colors.
- Me puse rojo de vergüenza.I turned red with embarrassment.Ponerse plus color.
- Los plátanos todavía están verdes.The bananas are still green.Estar for a state.
Spanish around the world
- For “brown,” Mexico and much of Latin America says café, Spain says marrón, and some countries say pardo. For “purple,” morado is common in Mexico, and violeta is used for a violet shade.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Una blanca casa.
Correct: Una casa blanca.
Colors go after the noun.
Incorrect: Las camisas rojo.
Correct: Las camisas rojas.
The color must match camisas: feminine plural.
Incorrect: Los zapatos azul.
Correct: Los zapatos azules.
Plural nouns need plural colors.
Incorrect: Una camisa azules claro.
Correct: Una camisa azul claro.
With claro or oscuro, the color stays singular.
Remember the pattern
- Colors usually go after the noun: casa blanca, coche rojo.
- -o colors have four forms. -e and consonant colors have two.
- For shades, add claro or oscuro and keep the color singular.
Mini practice
5 quick questions. You get feedback right after each answer.
Frequently asked questions
How do I say ‘brown’ in Spanish?
In Mexico say café. In Spain say marrón. Both are understood everywhere.
Do colors go before or after the noun?
After the noun: una casa blanca. Putting them first is poetic and rare.
Why does azul become azules?
Colors ending in a consonant add -es in the plural, just like many nouns.
How do I ask what color something is?
Say ¿De qué color es? or ¿Qué color es?.
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