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oscuro

oh-SKOO-roh/osˈkuɾo/

dark, dim

Also: gloomy
A red apple is partially lit by a small flashlight beam against a completely dark background.

📝 In Action

Estaba muy oscuro en el sótano y no encontré las llaves.

A1

It was very dark in the basement and I couldn't find the keys.

Prefiero las películas con un tono oscuro y misterioso.

A2

I prefer movies with a dark and mysterious tone.

No salgas después de que oscurezca.

A2

Don't go out after it gets dark (after it darkens).

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • sombrío (shadowy)
  • negro (black)

Antonyms

  • claro (light, clear)
  • luminoso (bright)

Common Collocations

  • color oscuro – dark color
  • cuarto oscuro – dark room (or photography darkroom)

Idioms & Expressions

  • Verlo todo negro – To be pessimistic or feel hopeless

obscure, hidden

Also: complex, mysterious
A blue square is mostly hidden and distorted by dense white swirling fog.

📝 In Action

El autor tiene un estilo de escritura muy oscuro, difícil de seguir.

B1

The author has a very obscure (or complex) writing style, difficult to follow.

La historia de su pasado es bastante oscura y nadie sabe la verdad.

B2

The story of his past is quite obscure/vague, and nobody knows the truth.

Las oscuras motivaciones del villano nunca fueron claras.

B2

The villain's obscure motivations were never clear.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • críptico (cryptic)
  • incomprensible (incomprehensible)

Antonyms

  • obvio (obvious)
  • transparente (transparent)

Common Collocations

  • tema oscuro – obscure topic
  • pasado oscuro – dark/shady past

darkness, obscurity

Also: shadow
NounmB2
A minimalist depiction of a night sky that is almost entirely deep black, featuring only a small white crescent moon.

📝 In Action

Salimos de la luz y entramos en el oscuro de la caverna.

B2

We left the light and entered the darkness of the cavern.

Trabaja en el oscuro, sin que nadie sepa lo que está haciendo.

C1

He works in the dark, without anyone knowing what he is doing.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • oscuridad (darkness (the preferred noun))
  • tinieblas (gloom, deep darkness)

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: oscuro

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'oscuro' in its figurative sense (meaning complex or vague)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
oscuridad(darkness, obscurity) — Noun
oscurecer(to get dark, to darken) — Verb
oscurecido(darkened) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes directly from the Latin word *obscurus*, which meant 'dark, dim, obscure, or concealed.' The Spanish word has kept all those original meanings.

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: oscuroFrench: obscur

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Frequently Asked Questions

¿Cómo sé si debo usar 'oscuro', 'oscura', 'oscuros' o 'oscuras'?

Since 'oscuro' is an adjective, it must agree with the thing it describes. If you are talking about 'el libro' (masculine singular), you say 'el libro oscuro'. If you are talking about 'las ideas' (feminine plural), you say 'las ideas oscuras'. Match the ending to the noun's gender and number.

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'oscuro' y 'oscuridad'?

'Oscuro' is an adjective, used to describe things (The room is dark / La habitación es oscura). 'Oscuridad' is the noun, referring to the state of being dark (I fear the darkness / Temo la oscuridad).