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pálido

PAH-lee-doh/ˈpa.li.ðo/

pale

Also: pasty, shocked
A person with very light skin looking tired or unwell.

📝 In Action

Estás muy pálido, ¿te sientes bien?

A1

You are very pale, do you feel okay?

Ella se puso pálida cuando vio el accidente.

A2

She turned pale when she saw the accident.

Su rostro pálido reflejaba el miedo que sentía.

B1

His pale face reflected the fear he was feeling.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • descolorido (colorless/faded)
  • demacrado (haggard/pale from illness)

Antonyms

  • sonrosado (rosy-cheeked)
  • bronceado (tanned)

Common Collocations

  • ponerse pálido – to turn pale
  • quedarse pálido – to go pale (with shock)
  • rostro pálido – pale face

Idioms & Expressions

  • más pálido que un muerto – extremely pale, usually from fear or sickness

light / faint

Also: dim
A soft, light yellow flower in a field.

📝 In Action

Me gusta ese tono azul pálido para las paredes.

A2

I like that light blue tone for the walls.

La luz pálida de la luna entraba por la ventana.

B1

The faint moonlight was coming through the window.

Pintó un cuadro con colores pálidos y suaves.

B2

He painted a picture with pale and soft colors.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tenue (faint/dim)
  • suave (soft/mild)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • azul pálido – pale blue
  • luz pálida – dim light
  • colores pálidos – pale colors

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "pálido" in Spanish:

dim→pasty→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: pálido

Question 1 of 3

Which verb would you use to say someone looks pale right now because they are scared?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
palidez(paleness) — Noun
palidecer(to turn pale) — Verb
empalidecer(to grow pale) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
cálidoválido
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'pallidus', which was used to describe someone who lacked color or was wan.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: pallidFrench: pâleItalian: pallido

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'pálido' always used for sickness?

No, it can be used for light colors (like pale yellow) or for someone's natural fair skin tone.

What's the difference between 'claro' and 'pálido' for colors?

'Claro' just means light. 'Pálido' implies the color is weak, faint, or very washed out.

Can I use 'pálido' to describe a dark-skinned person who looks unwell?

Yes, in Spanish 'ponerse pálido' is used for anyone whose skin loses its usual healthy tone due to shock or illness, regardless of their natural skin color.