limón
/lee-MOHN/
lemon
Limón referring to the common yellow, acidic citrus fruit.
limón(noun)
lemon
?The yellow, acidic citrus fruit
lime
?Commonly used for the green fruit in Mexico and Central America
📝 In Action
Necesito un limón para hacer la limonada.
A1I need a lemon to make the lemonade.
Puse una rodaja de limón en mi vaso de agua.
A1I put a slice of lemon in my glass of water.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
Even though many fruits ending in '-a' are feminine, 'limón' is always a masculine word, so you must use 'el' or 'un' before it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gender Confusion
Mistake: "La limón es muy agria."
Correction: El limón es muy agrio. (Use the masculine article 'el' and masculine adjective 'agrio'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Regional Fruit Names
Be aware that in Mexico and Central America, 'limón' often means the small green fruit (what English speakers call a 'lime'). The yellow fruit (English 'lemon') is sometimes called 'lima' or 'limón amarillo'.
Limón used to describe the specific pale yellow color (lemon yellow).
📝 In Action
Pintamos la cocina de color limón.
A2We painted the kitchen lemon yellow.
Ese vestido limón te queda muy bien.
B1That lemon dress looks very good on you.
💡 Grammar Points
Using Colors as Nouns
When 'limón' is used to describe a color, it often stays masculine and doesn't change form, even if the thing it describes is feminine. (e.g., 'la camisa limón').
Limón used idiomatically to describe a faulty or defective item, often a car.
limón(noun)
lemon
?A faulty or defective item, especially a car
flop
?A failure or bad investment
📝 In Action
Compré un coche usado y resultó ser un limón; se daña cada semana.
B2I bought a used car and it turned out to be a lemon; it breaks down every week.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
This meaning is often used with the verb 'ser' (to be) or 'salir' (to turn out) to describe the quality of a purchase.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: limón
Question 1 of 2
Which translation is most likely correct in Spain?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'limón' means lemon or lime?
It depends heavily on where you are! In Spain, it's yellow lemon. In Mexico, it's green lime. If you are unsure, you can clarify by saying 'limón amarillo' (yellow lemon) or 'limón verde' (green lime).
Does 'limón' change for plural?
Yes. To make it plural, you add '-es', making it 'limones'. (e.g., 'tres limones').