Understanding how color adjectives work in Spanish can be tricky for English speakers. While most Spanish adjectives agree with the nouns they modify in both gender and number, colors follow some unique rules that often confuse learners. If you already know how to say the colors in Spanish, this lesson will help you master when and how these color adjectives should agree with the nouns they describe.
Recently, one of our subscribers asked an excellent question about this caption from a Yabla video:
A mí me encantan los gatos naranja.
I love orange cats.
Caption 48, Renzo y Elena Animales
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The question was: "I am wondering why 'naranja' is not 'naranjas' (plural) to go with the plural 'los gatos' (plural)?"
This is a great question that gets to the heart of how color agreement works in Spanish!
Most color adjectives in Spanish behave like regular adjectives and must agree with the noun they modify in both gender and number. These include colors like rojo (red), azul (blue), verde (green), amarillo (yellow), negro (black), and blanco (white).
Let's see some examples:
la falda de cuadros rojos y verdes
the red-and-green-plaid skirt
Caption 38, Aprendiendo con Silvia Recuerdos de infancia - Part 1
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Cogemos la plastilina amarilla, un pedacito,
We take the yellow modeling clay, a little piece,
Caption 43, Dayana Colores - Part 1
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Notice how rojos and verdes change to plural to match their plural noun (cuadros), while amarilla stays in feminine singular to match the singular noun plastilina.
Here's where things get interesting! Colors that are named after objects, fruits, or flowers can work in two ways in Spanish:
1. They can remain invariable (stay singular)
2. They can agree with the noun (change to plural)
Both forms are correct! This happens with colors like:
• naranja (orange - from the fruit)
• rosa (pink - from the flower)
• violeta (violet - from the flower)
• café (brown - from coffee)
• lila (lilac - from the flower)
• turquesa (turquoise - from the stone)
So, going back to our original question, both of these sentences are perfectly correct:
Me encantan los gatos naranja.
I love orange cats.
Me encantan los gatos naranjas.
I love orange cats.
Unlike the speaker in the previous clip who used the singular form naranja, Fermín uses the plural form naranjas in the following example:
También hay variedades blancas y naranjas.
There are also white and orange varieties.
Caption 14, Fermín y las plantas Buganvilla
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The same flexibility applies to other object-derived colors with rosa and violeta.
When a color is modified by another word (like claro/oscuro for light/dark, or another color to create a shade), the most common practice is to keep everything in masculine singular, even when describing feminine or plural nouns:
"La primavera es de un verde tierno, de un azul claro y apacible como, ehm... como orejas de cochino".
"Spring is pale green, light blue and gentle blue like, um... like pigs' ears."
Captions 21-23, Pigueldito y Federico El verano
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However, agreement in feminine is also acceptable, though less common:
La pared es verde clara.
The wall is light green.
To wrap up, here's what you need to remember about color agreement in Spanish:
📌 Regular color adjectives (rojo, azul, verde, etc.) always agree with their nouns
📌 Colors derived from objects, fruits, or flowers (naranja, rosa, violeta, etc.) can either stay singular or agree with the noun—both are correct!
📌 When colors are modified by other words, they typically stay in masculine singular
We hope this clears up the confusion about color agreement in Spanish! Let us know if you have any questions, and don't hesitate to reach out with your thoughts. ¡Nos vemos pronto!
Among the months of the year, May stands out with its vibrant energy, blooming flowers, and warm weather in many parts of the world. In this lesson, we'll explore Spanish vocabulary related to el mes de mayo (the month of May), including holidays, events and natural phenomena.
Let's dive in!
May is packed with festivities and special occasions. Here are some key events celebrated during this month:
May 1st is Labor Day in many countries around the world, celebrated to honor the contributions of workers. In Spanish-speaking countries, it's known as el Día del Trabajo.
On May 5th, Mexico celebrates Cinco de Mayo, commemorating the Mexican Army's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It's a day filled with parades, music and traditional Mexican cuisine.
In many Spanish-speaking countries, Mother's Day falls on the second Sunday of May. It's a day to honor and appreciate mothers and mother figures for their love and sacrifice.
The prestigious Cannes Film Festival takes place annually in May, showcasing the best of international cinema. It's a prominent event in the film industry calendar.
May marks the transition to warmer weather and the peak of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Let's explore some vocabulary related to nature during this beautiful month:
May is known for its abundance of blooming flowers. From colorful tulips to fragrant roses to exotic bougainvilleas, gardens come to life in May:
La buganvilla, también conocida como bougainvillea, es una planta originaria de América del Sur conocida por sus vistosas y vibrantes flores.
The bougainvillea, also known as "buganvilia," is a plant [that's] native to South America, known for its attractive and vibrant flowers.
Captions 7-9, Fermín y las plantas Buganvilla
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As the days grow longer and temperatures rise, the sun becomes a prominent feature of May. People enjoy outdoor activities under the warm rays of the sun.
In some regions, May brings occasional showers that nourish the earth and contribute to spring's lush greenery.
Birds are more active in May, building nests, singing melodies and raising their young. It's a time when the air is filled with the sounds of chirping birds.
La primavera se caracteriza, entre otras cosas, por los sonidos de los pájaros cantando desde sus nidos.
Spring is characterized, among other things, by the sounds of the birds singing from their nests.
Captions 2-3, Jacky Canción de los pájaros
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In Spanish culture, there are several expressions and sayings associated with the month of May. Let's learn a few:
This saying emphasizes the idea that the weather conditions in March and April contribute to the beauty of the month of May. Let's hear it:
"Marzo ventoso y abril lluvioso hacen a mayo florido y hermoso".
"Windy March and rainy April make May flowery and beautiful."
Caption 46, Aprendiendo con Silvia Dichos populares - Part 1
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This saying reflects the belief that a blossoming May foretells a fruitful and prosperous year ahead.
This is a reminder that as May weather can be unpredictable, it's wise to be prepared for cooler days. Let's listen to Silvia's explanation about this popular saying:
"Hasta el cuarenta de mayo no te quites el sayo". Nos indica que aunque en mayo puede hacer días soleados y calurosos, el verano en toda regla no llega hasta que haya entrado bien el mes de junio.
"Until May fortieth, don't take off your tunic." It indicates to us that even though in May, there can be sunny and hot days, the full-blown summer doesn't arrive until June has begun properly.
Captions 60-64, Aprendiendo con Silvia Dichos populares - Part 1
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That wraps up our lesson on Spanish vocabulary for the month of May! Did you enjoy learning about May traditions and nature? Feel free to share your favorite May memories or traditions, and don't hesitate to send us your questions and comments.
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