Inklingo

How to Say "pure" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “pure” is “puro” — use 'puro' when referring to something that is unmixed, clean, or literally pure, like clean air or a pure substance.

puro🔊A2

Use 'puro' when referring to something that is unmixed, clean, or literally pure, like clean air or a pure substance.

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inocente🔊A2

Choose 'inocente' to describe someone who is childlike, naive, or overly trusting, lacking worldly experience.

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blanca🔊B1

Use 'blanca' to describe a reputation or character that is untainted, innocent, and without blemish.

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virgen🔊C1

Employ 'virgen' when referring to something that is in its original, unmixed state, often used for food products like olive oil.

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neto🔊C1

Use 'neto' to indicate something that is sheer, unmixed, or clear-cut, often used for differences or amounts.

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casta🔊C2

Opt for 'casta' when describing someone who is virtuous, modest, and abstains from carnal desires, often in a religious context.

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English → Spanish

puro

POO-rohˈpuɾo

adjectiveA2
Use 'puro' when referring to something that is unmixed, clean, or literally pure, like clean air or a pure substance.
A single, flawless, bright red apple centered on a plain background, illustrating absolute completeness.

Examples

El aire de la montaña es muy puro.

The air in the mountains is very pure.

Ella solo bebe agua pura, sin minerales añadidos.

She only drinks pure water, without added minerals.

Gender Matching

As an adjective, 'puro' must match the thing it describes in both gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'puro' (m.s.), 'pura' (f.s.), 'puros' (m.pl.), 'puras' (f.pl.).

Forgetting the Feminine Form

Mistake: “Using 'puro' for a feminine noun, e.g., 'agua puro'.”

Correction: Use the feminine form: 'agua pura'. Remember that 'agua' is feminine even though it starts with 'a'.

inocente

ee-noh-SEHN-tayi.noˈsen.te

adjectiveA2
Choose 'inocente' to describe someone who is childlike, naive, or overly trusting, lacking worldly experience.
A simplistic illustration showing a naive young figure smiling and shaking hands with a sly fox holding a clearly fake gold object.

Examples

Mi hermana es muy inocente; cree todo lo que le dices.

My sister is very naive; she believes everything you tell her.

El bebé tiene ojos grandes y una mirada muy inocente.

The baby has big eyes and a very innocent gaze.

Confusing Naivety and Guilt

Mistake: “Using 'culpable' when you mean 'experienced/jaded' in a non-legal sense.”

Correction: Use 'inocente' for both 'not guilty' and 'naive.' The context makes the meaning clear.

blanca

BLAHN-kahˈblaŋka

adjectiveB1
Use 'blanca' to describe a reputation or character that is untainted, innocent, and without blemish.
A pristine white lily flower with dew drops on its petals, symbolizing purity and innocence.

Examples

Ella siempre ha tenido una reputación blanca e intachable.

She has always had a pure and impeccable reputation.

Mantuvo la fe blanca a pesar de todas las dificultades.

She kept the faith pure despite all the difficulties.

virgen

BEE-rhen'biɾxen

adjectiveC1
Employ 'virgen' when referring to something that is in its original, unmixed state, often used for food products like olive oil.
A single ripe green olive with a large, golden drop of oil falling from it onto a surface, symbolizing highest quality oil.

Examples

El aceite de oliva virgen extra es el mejor para la salud.

Extra virgin olive oil is the best for health.

Esta lana virgen es de muy alta calidad.

This pure wool is very high quality.

Fixed Phrases

When talking about products like olive oil, 'virgen' is part of a fixed phrase ('aceite virgen') that indicates its quality and processing method.

neto

NEH-tohˈneto

adjectiveC1
Use 'neto' to indicate something that is sheer, unmixed, or clear-cut, often used for differences or amounts.
A sharp, distinct line separating a bright blue sky from a vibrant green field.

Examples

Hay una diferencia neta entre sus dos propuestas.

There is a clear-cut difference between his two proposals.

Lo que sentí fue un desprecio neto por su actitud.

What I felt was pure (sheer) contempt for his attitude.

Abstract Usage

When used this way, 'neto' emphasizes that there is no 'blurriness'—the thing is exactly what you are calling it, with no other elements mixed in.

casta

kahs-tahˈkasta

adjectiveC2formal
Opt for 'casta' when describing someone who is virtuous, modest, and abstains from carnal desires, often in a religious context.
A single white lily flower standing tall in a clean glass vase on a plain wooden table.

Examples

Llevaba una vida casta y dedicada a la oración.

She led a chaste life dedicated to prayer.

Adjective Agreement

This is the feminine form of 'casto.' It must match the gender of the person you are describing: 'una mujer casta' vs 'un hombre casto.'

Confusing 'puro' with 'inocente'

Learners often use 'puro' when they mean 'inocente' or vice versa. Remember, 'puro' relates to physical or conceptual purity (unmixed, clean), while 'inocente' describes a person's naive or childlike character.

Related Translations

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