naranja

/nah-RAHN-hah/

orange

The most common translation of naranja is the citrus fruit, the orange.

naranja(Noun)

fA1

orange

the fruit

Also:

orange tree

less common, but sometimes used regionally for the tree itself (though 'naranjo' is preferred)

📝 In Action

Quiero una naranja dulce para el postre.

I want a sweet orange for dessert.

El zumo de naranja es mi bebida favorita por la mañana.

Orange juice is my favorite drink in the morning.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

zumo de naranja – orange juice
cáscara de naranja – orange peel

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Check

Since 'naranja' ends in '-a', it is feminine. Always use 'la' or 'una' when referring to the single fruit.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the Wrong Article

Mistake: "El naranja es agria."

Correction: La naranja es agria. (The orange is sour.)

⭐ Usage Tips

The Tree vs. The Fruit

To specifically talk about the tree, the word is usually 'el naranjo' (masculine), keeping 'la naranja' for the fruit.

A simple illustration of a brightly colored, solid orange kite flying against a light blue sky.

Naranja also functions as an adjective to describe the color orange.

naranja(Adjective)

fA2

orange

describing a color

📝 In Action

Compré una bufanda naranja para el invierno.

I bought an orange scarf for the winter.

Los coches naranja son fáciles de ver en la oscuridad.

Orange cars are easy to see in the dark.

El naranja es mi color favorito.

Orange is my favorite color. (Used as an abstract noun concept)

Word Connections

Synonyms

anaranjado (orange-colored)

Common Collocations

color naranja – orange color

💡 Grammar Points

The Invariable Color

When 'naranja' is used to describe a color, it is special: it never changes its ending! It stays 'naranja' whether the thing you are describing is masculine, feminine, singular, or plural.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Changing the Ending

Mistake: "Compramos unas flores naranjas."

Correction: Compramos unas flores naranja. (The color adjective does not take an '-s' for plural.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Alternative Adjective

If you want an adjective that does change its form, you can use 'anaranjado/a' (orange-colored), but 'naranja' is much more common.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: naranja

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'naranja' as a color adjective?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

naranjo(orange tree) - noun

anaranjado(orange-colored) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'naranja' masculine or feminine?

As a noun meaning the fruit, it is feminine ('la naranja'). When used as a color adjective, it is invariable (it doesn't change based on the thing it describes). When referring to the color abstractly ('the color orange'), it is often treated as masculine ('el naranja').

How do I say 'orange tree'?

The specific word for the orange tree is 'el naranjo' (masculine).