How to Say "chestnut" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “chestnut” is “castaño” — use this word specifically when referring to the reddish-brown color of hair, eyes, or an animal's coat.
English → Spanish
castaño
adjectiveA1general
Use this word specifically when referring to the reddish-brown color of hair, eyes, or an animal's coat.
Examples
Mi hermana tiene el pelo castaño.
My sister has chestnut-brown hair.
marrón
adjectiveA1general
This is a general term for 'brown' and can be used for hair or eye color, though 'castaño' is often preferred for reddish-brown tones.
Examples
El perro tiene el pelo marrón.
The dog has brown fur.
Castaño vs. Marrón for Color
Learners often confuse 'castaño' and 'marrón' when describing hair or eye color. While 'marrón' is a general brown, 'castaño' specifically denotes a reddish-brown, like a chestnut. Use 'castaño' for that particular shade.
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