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colores

koh-LOH-rehs/koˈloɾes/

“colores” means “colors” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

colors

Also: shades, paints
NounmA1
A vibrant array of primary and secondary colors displayed as simple painted swatches.

📝 In Action

Mi hija está aprendiendo los nombres de los colores primarios.

A1

My daughter is learning the names of the primary colors.

Necesito comprar más colores para mi paleta de acuarelas.

A2

I need to buy more paints (colors) for my watercolor palette.

Los colores de este paisaje son increíbles al atardecer.

B1

The colors of this landscape are incredible at sunset.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tonos (shades/tones)
  • matices (nuances)

Common Collocations

  • colores vivos – bright colors
  • colores pastel – pastel colors
  • caja de colores – box of crayons/pencils

blush

Also: shame, variety
NounmB2neutral/informal
A close-up illustration of a person's face showing strong red blush covering their cheeks and nose, indicating embarrassment.

📝 In Action

Cuando le preguntaron por su secreto, se le subieron los colores a la cara.

B2

When they asked him about his secret, he blushed/felt embarrassed.

Esa revista tiene artículos de todos colores: política, chismes, ciencia...

C1

That magazine has articles of all kinds (of every color): politics, gossip, science...

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • vergüenza (shame/embarrassment)
  • clases (kinds/sorts)

Idioms & Expressions

  • Sacarle los colores (a alguien) – To make someone blush or feel embarrassed by pointing out a fault or truth.
  • De todos colores – Of all kinds, of all sorts, of great variety.

Vocabulary Collections

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "colores" in Spanish:

blush→colors→paints→shades→shame→variety→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: colores

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'colores' in its idiomatic meaning (embarrassment)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
color(color (singular)) — Noun
colorido(colorful) — Adjective
colorear(to color/to paint) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
floresamores
📚 Etymology▼

The word 'colores' comes directly from the Latin word *color*, meaning 'color' or 'hue'. It has remained remarkably consistent in meaning throughout its history in Spanish.

First recorded: Old Spanish (around the 10th-13th century)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: coresItalian: coloriFrench: couleurs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'colores' masculine or feminine?

'Colores' is the plural form of the noun 'color,' which is masculine. Therefore, 'colores' is always treated as masculine, requiring 'los' and masculine adjectives.

How do I say 'bright colors' in Spanish?

You would typically say 'colores vivos' or 'colores brillantes'. The word 'vivos' (lively/vibrant) is very common in this context.