oscuras
/ohs-KOO-rahs/
dark
The image shows objects that are 'dark' (oscuras).
oscuras(adjective)
dark
?describing multiple feminine things
,dim
?rooms or lighting
gloomy
?moods or places
📝 In Action
Las nubes son muy oscuras hoy; parece que va a llover.
A1The clouds are very dark today; it looks like it’s going to rain.
Pintaron las paredes de colores oscuras para darle un toque dramático.
A2They painted the walls in dark colors to give it a dramatic touch.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'oscuras' must agree in gender (feminine) and number (plural) with the noun it describes. It is the feminine plural form of 'oscuro'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Gender
Mistake: "Los casas oscuras (Incorrect agreement)"
Correction: Las casas oscuras (The noun 'casas' is feminine, so the adjective must be 'oscuras').
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Colors
Use 'oscuras' when describing colors that are deep or muted, like 'colores oscuras' (dark colors).
This illustration shows a person navigating 'in the dark' (oscuras).
oscuras(adverb)
in the dark
?lacking light
,blindly
?figurative, without guidance
secretly
?figurative, without knowledge of others
📝 In Action
Se fue la luz y tuvimos que cenar a oscuras.
B1The power went out and we had to eat dinner in the dark.
No puedes tomar una decisión tan importante a oscuras.
B2You can't make such an important decision blindly (without knowing the facts).
💡 Grammar Points
Fixed Adverbial Phrase
When used to mean 'in the dark' or 'blindly,' 'oscuras' almost always follows the preposition 'a'. The phrase 'a oscuras' functions as an adverb, describing how an action is performed.
Always Plural and Feminine
Even though this phrase acts like an adverb (which usually doesn't change), 'a oscuras' is fixed in the feminine plural form and never changes to 'a oscuro' or 'a oscuros'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Use
You can use 'a oscuras' to mean 'without information' or 'without knowing the facts,' just like in English: 'Me siento a oscuras sobre el plan' (I feel in the dark about the plan).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: oscuras
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'oscuras' to mean 'without light'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the phrase 'a oscuras' always plural and feminine?
This is a historical quirk! The phrase 'a oscuras' started as a reference to 'dark places' or 'dark things' (las oscuras), but over time, it became a single, fixed phrase that acts like an adverb (like 'quickly' or 'slowly') and never changes, regardless of who is doing the action.