Inklingo

How to Say "orange" in Spanish

English → Spanish

naranja

nah-RAHN-hahnaˈɾaŋxa

NounA1General
Use this word for the fruit itself, the common citrus fruit.
A close-up illustration of a single, perfectly ripe orange fruit with a small green stem and leaf attached.

Examples

Me gusta comer una naranja después de cenar.

I like to eat an orange after dinner.

Quiero una naranja dulce para el postre.

I want a sweet orange for dessert.

El zumo de naranja es mi bebida favorita por la mañana.

Orange juice is my favorite drink in the morning.

Compré una bufanda naranja para el invierno.

I bought an orange scarf for the winter.

Gender Check

Since 'naranja' ends in '-a', it is feminine. Always use 'la' or 'una' when referring to the single fruit.

The Invariable Color

When 'naranja' is used to describe a color, it is special: it never changes its ending! It stays 'naranja' whether the thing you are describing is masculine, feminine, singular, or plural.

Using the Wrong Article

Mistake: “El naranja es agria.”

Correction: La naranja es agria. (The orange is sour.)

Changing the Ending

Mistake: “Compramos unas flores naranjas.”

Correction: Compramos unas flores naranja. (The color adjective does not take an '-s' for plural.)

naranja

AdjectiveA2General
Use this word to describe the color orange, like the color of the fruit.

Examples

El atardecer era de un hermoso color naranja.

The sunset was a beautiful orange color.

china

NounB2General
Use this word specifically for the fruit, but be aware it is more common in certain regions of Spain and Latin America.

Examples

En mi país, pedimos jugo de china en lugar de jugo de naranja.

In my country, we ask for orange juice instead of juice of china.

Fruit vs. Color and Regional Use

The most common confusion is using 'naranja' for the color when it's also the primary word for the fruit. Remember, 'naranja' works for both fruit and color in most contexts. 'China' is exclusively for the fruit and less universally understood than 'naranja'.

Related Translations

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