How to Say "clear" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “clear” is “claro” — use 'claro' when something is transparent, like clean water or an unclouded sky, or when something is easy to understand.
claro
KLAH-rohˈkla.ɾo
Examples
El agua del río está muy clara.
The river water is very clear.
Necesitamos una habitación más clara para leer.
We need a brighter room to read.
Me gusta el color azul claro.
I like the color light blue.
Sus instrucciones fueron muy claras.
Her instructions were very clear.
Matching the Noun
'Claro' is like a chameleon. It changes to match the thing it's describing. For a masculine thing, use 'claro' (cielo claro). For a feminine thing, use 'clara' (agua clara).
Using 'Ser' vs. 'Estar'
Use 'ser' for things that are naturally clear ('La idea es clara'). Use 'estar' when something becomes clear or is clear at a specific moment ('Ahora todo está claro').
despejado
des-pe-HA-dodes.peˈxa.ðo
Examples
El cielo está completamente despejado hoy, ¡qué maravilla!
The sky is completely clear today, what a marvel!
Si el pronóstico es despejado, iremos a la montaña.
If the forecast is clear, we will go to the mountain.
Después de la limpieza, el pasillo quedó completamente despejado.
After the cleaning, the hallway was completely unobstructed (clear).
Con la mente despejada, pude concentrarme en la solución.
With a clear mind, I was able to concentrate on the solution.
Adjective Agreement
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'despejado' must match the thing it describes in gender and number: 'el cielo está despejado' (masculine singular) but 'las mañanas están despejadas' (feminine plural).
Origin as a Past Participle
'Despejado' is the past participle of the verb 'despejar' (to clear or to remove). When used as an adjective, it means 'having been cleared'.
Using SER instead of ESTAR
Mistake: “El cielo es despejado.”
Correction: El cielo está despejado. We use 'estar' when describing temporary conditions, like the weather right now.
limpio
LIM-pyohˈlimpjo
Examples
Él tiene un historial limpio.
He has a clean record.
Fue un juego limpio y sin trampas.
It was a fair game without cheating.
Ella quiere tener su conciencia limpia.
She wants to have a clear conscience.
obvio
OH-byohˈoβjo
Examples
Era obvio que no estaban prestando atención en la clase.
It was obvious that they weren't paying attention in class.
La respuesta es obvia: tienes que estudiar más.
The answer is obvious: you have to study more.
Sus intenciones eran obvias para todos.
His intentions were clear to everyone.
Adjective Agreement
Since 'obvio' is an adjective, make sure its ending matches the thing it describes. Use 'obvio' (masculine singular), 'obvia' (feminine singular), 'obvios' (masculine plural), or 'obvias' (feminine plural).
The 'Es obvio que' Rule
When you use the common phrase 'Es obvio que...' (It is obvious that...), the verb that follows usually stays in the normal, indicative form because you are stating a fact. For example: 'Es obvio que estás cansado' (It is obvious that you are tired).
Forgetting Agreement
Mistake: “La verdad es obvio. (Incorrect)”
Correction: La verdad es obvia. (Correct). Since 'verdad' (truth) is feminine, the adjective must be 'obvia'.
borrar
boh-RRAHRboˈraɾ
Examples
Borra todas las fotos antiguas de tu teléfono para liberar espacio.
Delete all the old photos from your phone to free up space.
Intenté borrar su número de mi memoria, pero fue imposible.
I tried to wipe his number from my memory, but it was impossible.
Si borras la caché, la aplicación debería funcionar mejor.
If you clear the cache, the application should work better.
Reflexive Use: Borrarse
When used with 'se' (borrarse), it often means 'to disappear' or 'to fade away' by itself: 'La mancha se borró con el tiempo' (The stain faded away over time).
Using 'borrar' for 'forget'
Mistake: “No puedo borrar el nombre.”
Correction: While 'borrar' can mean 'wipe out a memory,' for simple forgetting, use 'olvidar': 'No puedo olvidar el nombre' (I can't forget the name).
transparente
trahns-pah-REHN-tehtɾanspaˈɾente
Examples
El agua del Caribe es muy transparente y limpia.
The water in the Caribbean is very clear and clean.
Necesito un sobre transparente para guardar mis documentos.
I need a transparent envelope to keep my documents in.
Esta blusa es un poco transparente; mejor usa algo debajo.
This blouse is a bit see-through; you better wear something underneath.
One Form for All
This word is 'gender neutral.' It doesn't matter if you are describing a masculine noun (el vaso) or a feminine noun (la copa); it always stays 'transparente'.
Plural Pattern
To make it plural, just add an '-s' at the end: 'vasos transparentes' or 'copas transparentes'.
The 'O' Trap
Mistake: “El vidrio es transparento.”
Correction: El vidrio es transparente. Even though 'vidrio' ends in 'o', this adjective never changes its final 'e' to an 'o'.
sereno
seh-REH-nohseˈɾeno
Examples
A pesar del problema, él se mantuvo sereno.
Despite the problem, he stayed calm.
El mar está hoy muy sereno.
The sea is very peaceful today.
Me gusta caminar bajo un cielo sereno.
I like walking under a clear sky.
Matching Endings
Since this is an adjective, you must change the 'o' to 'a' if you are describing a woman or a feminine object (e.g., 'ella está serena').
Ser vs. Estar
Use 'ser' if someone is naturally a calm person. Use 'estar' if they are feeling calm at this specific moment.
Sereno vs. Silencioso
Mistake: “Using 'sereno' to mean a library is quiet.”
Correction: Use 'silencioso' for lack of noise. 'Sereno' is about the feeling of peace, not just the volume level.
limpiar
leem-pyahrlimˈpjaɾ
Examples
El presidente prometió limpiar la corrupción del gobierno.
The president promised to clean up the corruption in the government.
Necesitamos limpiar los datos antiguos del sistema.
We need to clear out the old data from the system.
Ella está intentando limpiar su reputación después del escándalo.
She is trying to clear her reputation after the scandal.
evidente
eh-vee-DEHN-teheβiˈðente
Examples
El error fue evidente, no sé cómo no lo vimos antes.
The mistake was evident, I don't know how we didn't see it before.
Es evidente que necesitas descansar. Te ves muy cansado.
It's obvious that you need to rest. You look very tired.
Las pruebas evidentes confirmaron su inocencia.
The clear evidence confirmed his innocence.
Gender Consistency
Since 'evidente' ends in -e, it is one of those helpful adjectives that stays the same whether the noun is masculine or feminine (e.g., 'el error evidente' and 'la verdad evidente').
Making it Plural
To talk about more than one thing, simply add an -s: 'evidente' becomes 'evidentes' (e.g., 'las razones evidentes').
Common Structure
You will frequently see this word used in the impersonal form 'Es evidente que...' (It is obvious that...), which is a great way to start sentences when stating a clear fact.
Adjective vs. Adverb
Mistake: “Using 'evidente' instead of 'evidentemente' when modifying a verb (e.g., *'Ella habló evidente'*).”
Correction: Use the adverb form 'evidentemente' when you mean 'obviously' or 'clearly' (e.g., 'Ella habló evidentemente molesta').
expreso
ex-PREH-soheksˈpɾeso
Examples
Llegó en el tren expreso de las cinco.
He arrived on the five o'clock express train.
Lo hizo por deseo expreso de su madre.
He did it by the express wish of his mother.
Existe una prohibición expresa de fumar aquí.
There is an explicit prohibition against smoking here.
Matching the Noun
As a describing word, 'expreso' must change to 'expresa' if the thing it describes is feminine (e.g., 'petición expresa').
quitar
kee-TAHRkiˈtaɾ
Examples
Quita los libros de la mesa, por favor.
Remove the books from the table, please.
¿Puedes quitar la tapa de esta botella?
Can you take the lid off this bottle?
La pintura es difícil de quitar.
The paint is difficult to remove.
Direct Removal
Use 'quitar' when you are the one performing the action of removing an object from a place.
Confusing 'Quitar' and 'Sacar'
Mistake: “Using 'sacar' when referring to taking an item off a surface (e.g., *Saca los zapatos de la cama*).”
Correction: Use 'quitar' for removing something *from a surface* or *detaching* something. Use 'sacar' for removing something *from the inside* (like pulling a key out of a lock).
manifiesto
mah-nee-FYEHS-tohma.niˈfjes.to
Examples
Su alegría era manifiesto ante todos los presentes.
His joy was obvious to everyone present.
Cometieron un error manifiesto en el cálculo de los impuestos.
They made a clear error in the tax calculation.
Es manifiesto que las cosas deben cambiar pronto.
It is evident that things must change soon.
Matching the Noun
Since this is an adjective, it must change its ending to match the gender and number of the thing it describes (manifiesto, manifiesta, manifiestos, manifiestas).
Placement for Emphasis
In formal Spanish, placing 'manifiesto' after the noun makes the statement sound more official or emphatic, like in 'un error manifiesto'.
Confusion with 'Manifestar'
Mistake: “Using 'manifiesto' to say 'to manifest' as an action.”
Correction: Use 'manifestar' for the action. Use 'manifiesto' only to describe a state or as a document.
líquido
LEE-kee-dohˈli.ki.ðo
Examples
Mi sueldo líquido es de 1800 euros al mes.
My net salary is 1800 euros per month.
La empresa tiene muchos activos líquidos.
The company has many liquid assets (assets easily turned into cash).
Financial Use
In finance, 'líquido' acts like 'net' in English, meaning the amount remaining after taxes or expenses have been taken out. It contrasts with 'bruto' (gross).
Confusing 'claro' and 'despejado'
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