Learn the Spanish names for the most common colors, along with examples of how to use them in sentences.

Singular Color Names

The basic color names in Spanish are usually singular and can be used as adjectives. Most color words have a masculine form (ending in -o or another consonant) and a feminine form (usually ending in -a). Some colors, like those ending in -e or derived from other languages, have the same form for both genders.

Spanish Color	English Color	Spanish Example	English Example
rojo / roja	red	La manzana es roja.	The apple is red.
azul	blue	El cielo es azul.	The sky is blue.
amarillo / amarilla	yellow	El plátano es amarillo.	The banana is yellow.
verde	green	La hoja es verde.	The leaf is green.
negro / negra	black	El gato es negro.	The cat is black.
blanco / blanca	white	La nieve es blanca.	The snow is white.
marrón	brown	La mesa es marrón.	The table is brown.
anaranjado / anaranjada	orange	La naranja es anaranjada.	The orange is orange.
rosa	pink	La flor es rosa.	The flower is pink.
morado / morada	purple	La uva es morada.	The grape is purple.

Plural Color Forms

When describing more than one noun, make the color adjective agree in number by adding -s (if the color ends in a vowel) or -es (if it ends in a consonant). The gender rules still apply.

Spanish Plural Color	English Plural Color	Spanish Example	English Example
rojos / rojas	reds	Los globos rojos vuelan.	The red balloons fly.
azules	blues	Los pantalones azules son nuevos.	The blue pants are new.
amarillos / amarillas	yellows	Las flores amarillas son bonitas.	The yellow flowers are pretty.
verdes	greens	Los árboles verdes crecen rápido.	The green trees grow fast.
negros / negras	blacks	Las camisetas negras están en oferta.	The black shirts are on sale.
blancos / blancas	whites	Los zapatos blancos están sucios.	The white shoes are dirty.
marrones	browns	Las sillas marrones son cómodas.	The brown chairs are comfortable.
anaranjados / anaranjadas	oranges	Los coches anaranjados son brillantes.	The orange cars are shiny.
rosas	pinks	Las paredes rosas se ven lindas.	The pink walls look nice.
morados / moradas	purples	Los vestidos morados son elegantes.	The purple dresses are elegant.

Colors That Don’t Change Form

Some color words are invariable—they don’t change for gender or number.

Spanish Color	English Color	Spanish Example	English Example
azul	blue	Las camisas azul y blanca son mías.	The blue and white shirts are mine.
rosa	pink	Los relojes rosa son modernos.	The pink watches are modern.
marrón	brown	Las mochilas marrón y negra son nuevas.	The brown and black backpacks are new.

Translate to Spanish: "The pink watches are modern."

Los relojes rosaes son modernos.

Los relojes rosa son modernos.

Los relojes rosas son modernos.

Las relojes rosa son modernos.

Los relojes rosa son modernos.

"Rosa" is invariable and stays the same regardless of the masculine plural noun "relojes."

Usage Tips

Use the definite article (el, la, los, las) before the noun and color when speaking about specific items.
If the color is used as a noun (e.g., "red" as a thing), use the masculine singular form: el rojo, el azul, etc.
Most colors are adjectives, so they follow the noun: coche rojo (red car), casa blanca (white house).

Tip	Example	Meaning
Use definite articles with specific nouns	La camisa roja es mía.	The red shirt is mine.
Color adjectives follow the noun	Gato negro, casa blanca.	Black cat, white house.
Use masculine singular for color nouns	El rojo es fuerte.	The red (one) is strong.

Now you can name and describe objects by color in Spanish!

How do you make plural forms of color adjectives ending in a consonant (e.g., azul, marrón)?

Do not change; they remain singular.

Add -es (azul → azules, marrón → marrones).

Add only -s (azul → azuls).

Add -os (azul → azulos).

Add -es (azul → azules, marrón → marrones).

Color adjectives ending in a consonant form the plural by adding -es according to Spanish pluralization rules.

Flashcards (1 of 23)

English Color: red
English Example: The apple is red.

Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025

Spanish