A close-up of a piece of smooth, shimmering deep blue silk fabric draped elegantly, showing its soft folds and sheen.

seda

SEH-dah

nounfA1

silk?the material or fabric

Also:silken quality?smoothness or softness

📝 In Action

Me compré una corbata de seda para la boda.

I bought myself a silk tie for the wedding.

La sensación de la seda es muy agradable en verano.

The feel of silk is very pleasant in the summer.

Su cabello negro brillaba como la seda.

Her black hair shone like silk.

Word Connections

Synonyms

raso (satin)
fibras (fibers)

Common Collocations

hilo de seda – silk thread
vestido de seda – silk dress
suave como la seda – soft as silk

Idioms & Expressions

ser de seda – to be very gentle, smooth, or mild-mannered (often referring to a person's character)

💡 Grammar Points

Feminine Noun Rule

Even though 'seda' ends in 'a,' remember it is a feminine noun, so you always say 'la seda' and use feminine adjectives to describe it (e.g., 'seda fina' - fine silk).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the wrong article

Mistake: "El seda es cara."

Correction: La seda es cara. (Silk is expensive.) Remember to use 'la' because 'seda' is feminine.

⭐ Usage Tips

Describing Smoothness

Use the common comparison 'suave como la seda' (soft as silk) to describe anything that is extremely smooth or soft, like skin, hair, or even a voice.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: seda

Question 1 of 1

If someone describes a person as 'de seda,' what does that usually mean?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

sedoso(silky) - adjective

sedería(silk goods/silk shop) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use 'seda' to describe something's texture?

You can use it in a phrase like 'de seda' (made of silk) or in the common comparison 'suave como la seda' (soft as silk) to praise any incredibly smooth texture, like hair or skin.