negro
/NEH-groh/
black
The word 'negro' means 'black' when describing the color of an object.
📝 In Action
Mi gato es completamente negro.
A1My cat is completely black.
Prefiero la camiseta negra a la blanca.
A2I prefer the black t-shirt to the white one.
El cielo se puso negro antes de la tormenta.
B1The sky turned black before the storm.
💡 Grammar Points
Making Adjectives Match
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'negro' changes to match the person or thing it describes. Use 'negro' for masculine things, 'negra' for feminine things, 'negros' for plural masculine, and 'negras' for plural feminine. For example: el coche negro (the black car), la casa negra (the black house).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting to Change the Ending
Mistake: "Me gusta la falda negro."
Correction: Me gusta la falda negra. Because 'falda' (skirt) is a feminine word, the adjective needs to end in '-a' to match it.
⭐ Usage Tips
Simple and Direct
This is your go-to word for the color black. You'll use it for clothes, cars, animals, and anything else you want to describe.
Figuratively, 'negro' can describe a dark, sad, or gloomy mood or outlook.
negro(Adjective)
dark, bleak, gloomy
?Describing a situation, mood, or outlook.
furious, angry
?Describing a person's mood.
📝 In Action
Tengo un futuro muy negro si no apruebo este examen.
B1I have a very bleak future if I don't pass this exam.
Sus chistes siempre tienen un humor muy negro.
B2His jokes always have a very dark sense of humor.
Mi jefe estaba negro porque llegué tarde otra vez.
B2My boss was furious because I arrived late again.
⭐ Usage Tips
Beyond the Color
Think about how 'dark' is used in English for moods or situations. Spanish does the same thing with 'negro'. It connects the color to difficult, sad, or angry feelings.
In economic contexts, 'negro' refers to something illegal or undeclared, such as 'black market' or 'black money'.
📝 In Action
Compró su teléfono en el mercado negro.
B2He bought his phone on the black market.
Mucha gente trabaja en negro para evitar los impuestos.
B2A lot of people work 'in black' (off the books) to avoid taxes.
⭐ Usage Tips
Economic Context
This meaning is almost always about money or work that's hidden from the government. It's very similar to the English phrases 'black market' or 'working under the table'.
As a masculine noun ('el negro'), the word refers to the color black itself.
📝 In Action
El negro es un color muy elegante.
A2Black is a very elegant color.
Viste de negro casi todos los días.
B1She dresses in black almost every day.
💡 Grammar Points
Colors as Nouns
In Spanish, you can talk about a color as a thing. When you do, it's almost always masculine and singular. That's why we say 'el negro' (the black) when referring to the color in general.
'Negro' can be used as a noun to refer to a Black person. Note that usage varies greatly by region and context, sometimes serving as a term of endearment.
📝 In Action
Martin Luther King Jr. fue un líder de los derechos de los negros en Estados Unidos.
B1Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader of Black people's rights in the United States.
La nueva senadora es una mujer negra muy inteligente.
B1The new senator is a very intelligent Black woman.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Assuming It's Always Okay
Mistake: "Using 'negro' to address a stranger."
Correction: This can be seen as rude or offensive, depending on the person and country. It's safer to not use it to address someone directly unless you know them well and it's part of your relationship.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use With Caution and Awareness
This word's meaning is complex. In some Latin American countries, calling someone 'mi negro' or 'mi negra' is a term of endearment, like 'sweetheart'. However, in other places or contexts, it can be offensive. When in doubt, it's often safer and more respectful to use phrases like 'persona de raza negra' or 'afrodescendiente'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: negro
Question 1 of 1
In the sentence 'Tuvo un día negro en la oficina', what does 'negro' mean?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it offensive to call a person 'negro' in Spanish?
It can be, and you should be very careful. In some parts of Latin America, it's a common and affectionate term for a loved one (like 'honey' or 'darling'). In other places, or said by a stranger, it can be offensive. The safest approach is to avoid using it to describe people unless you are sure of the local custom and your relationship with the person. Phrases like 'persona de raza negra' are more neutral and formal.
Why does 'negro' have so many meanings, like 'illegal' or 'sad'?
This happens in many languages! The basic color 'black' is often associated with darkness, night, and mystery. Over time, people started using it metaphorically to talk about sad feelings ('a dark mood'), hidden activities ('black market'), and bad luck. It's an extension of the word's original meaning.
How do I know when to use negro, negra, negros, or negras?
It has to match the noun it's describing in two ways: gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural). - 'el zapato negro' (masculine, singular) - 'la camisa negra' (feminine, singular) - 'los zapatos negros' (masculine, plural) - 'las camisas negras' (feminine, plural)