Inklingo
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colorado

/koh-loh-RAH-doh/

red

A bright red apple sitting on a simple wooden table.

A bright red apple represents the literal meaning of 'colorado'.

colorado(adjective)

mA2

red

?

referring to the color

Also:

colored

?

having a specific color or tint

📝 In Action

Me gusta ese coche colorado.

A1

I like that red car.

El cielo estaba colorado al atardecer.

B1

The sky was reddish at sunset.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • rojo (red)
  • encarnado (flesh-colored or deep red)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • ponérsele a uno la cara colorada – to have one's face turn red
  • un cuento colorado – a dirty or off-color joke

💡 Grammar Points

Matching the Noun

This word changes its ending based on what you are describing. Use 'colorado' for masculine items (el libro colorado) and 'colorada' for feminine items (la flor colorada).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Choosing between 'Rojo' and 'Colorado'

Mistake: "Using 'rojo' exclusively for every situation."

Correction: While both mean red, 'colorado' is more frequent when talking about blushing or specific shades in nature. In Mexico and Argentina, 'colorado' is very common for hair or general red objects.

⭐ Usage Tips

Describing People

If you call a person 'colorado' in some countries like Argentina, you are saying they have red hair (a redhead).

A young child with very rosy red cheeks looking shyly at the ground.

The word 'colorado' can also describe someone blushing from embarrassment.

colorado(adjective)

mB1

blushing

?

red-faced due to embarrassment

Also:

flushed

?

red-faced due to heat or exercise

📝 In Action

Se puso colorado cuando ella lo saludó.

A2

He turned red/blushed when she said hi to him.

No me digas esas cosas, que me pongo colorada.

B1

Don't say those things to me, I'm blushing.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Idioms & Expressions

  • más vale una vez colorado que cien amarillo – it is better to face a difficult situation once than to be a coward forever

💡 Grammar Points

Using with 'Ponerse'

To say someone 'blushed,' use the verb 'ponerse' followed by 'colorado.' This describes a temporary change in state.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: colorado

Question 1 of 2

Which verb is typically used with 'colorado' to mean 'to blush'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

color(color) - noun
colorear(to color/to paint) - verb
colorante(food coloring/dye) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'colorado' the same as 'rojo'?

Yes and no. Both refer to the color red, but 'rojo' is the primary word for the color itself, while 'colorado' is often used for blushing, reddish tones, or as a regional preference in places like Mexico or Argentina.

Can I use 'colorado' for a red wine?

Usually no. Red wine is specifically called 'vino tinto' in Spanish.