Spanish is a vibrant language that is as colorful as the culture it represents. When learning Spanish, knowing how to describe colors is essential for everything from clothing and food to describing nature and setting the scene in a story. Below is a list of common color words in Spanish, complete with their English translations, definitions, and a sample sentence to illustrate their usage in context.

Azul
Azul means “blue” in Spanish. It’s a primary color that can range from the light blue of a daytime sky to the deep blues of the ocean.
El cielo es muy azul hoy.

Rojo
Rojo refers to the color “red.” It signifies passion, love, or even anger and can be used to describe anything with a reddish hue.
Las rosas rojas son para el amor.

Verde
Verde directly translates to “green.” This color is associated with nature, growth, and health. It’s the color of grass, leaves, and emeralds.
La esperanza es verde como la primavera.

Amarillo
Amarillo means “yellow,” the color of the sun, lemons, and autumn leaves. It’s often linked to brightness, cheerfulness, and warmth.
El sol brillante es amarillo y cálido.

Naranja
Naranja is the Spanish word for both the color “orange” and the fruit orange. It conveys enthusiasm and creativity.
Me gusta el jugo de naranja fresco en la mañana.

Negro
Negro means “black.” It’s a color with multiple associations, from elegance and formality to darkness and mourning.
La noche está tan oscura que todo se ve negro.

Blanco
Blanco is the Spanish word for “white.” It symbolizes purity and peace, and it’s the color of snow and milk.
La paz se representa con palomas blancas.

Gris
Gris translates to “gray.” It’s the color of overcast skies, silver, and stones, often associated with neutrality or melancholy.
Los días grises me hacen extrañar el sol.

Morado
Morado stands for “purple.” This color can symbolize royalty, nobility, and luxury, and it’s the color of lavender and amethysts.
Las uvas pueden ser verdes o moradas.

Rosado
Rosado is the word for “pink.” It evokes femininity, sweetness, and romance, and is the color of cherry blossoms and cotton candy.
El cielo al amanecer tiene tonos rosados.

Café
Café means “brown.” While it doesn’t have a direct one-word translation in English, it denotes the color of coffee, soil, and wood — elements strongly tied to the earth.
Los árboles tienen un tronco café robusto.

Celeste
Celeste refers to “light blue” or “sky blue.” It’s a softer, more ethereal hue of blue, suggestive of calm and tranquility.
El celeste del cielo me calma.

Dorado
Dorado translates to “golden” or “gold.” As in English, it’s associated with wealth, success, and high quality.
La corona es de un dorado brillante.

Plateado
Plateado means “silver.” It is reflective and shiny, and it’s often used to describe objects that have a cool, metallic gleam.
La joyería plateada es muy elegante.

Colorido
Although not a color itself, colorido is an important word meaning “colorful” or “vibrant.” It describes anything rich with varying colors.
El mercadillo está lleno de telas coloridas.

Using these vivid Spanish words for colors will not only enrich your vocabulary but also allow you to express yourself more accurately when describing the world around you. As you continue your language learning journey, try incorporating these words into daily conversations, and watch how they bring your communications to life with a burst of color.