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How to Say "pure" in Spanish

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puro

POO-roh/ˈpuɾo/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'puro' when referring to something that is clean, unmixed, or uncontaminated, like air or water.
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-tay/i.noˈsen.te/

adjectiveA2general
Choose 'inocente' when describing someone as naive, simple, or childlike, lacking experience or guile.
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-kah/ˈblaŋka/

adjectiveB1figurative
Use 'blanca' metaphorically to describe a reputation or character that is pure, untainted, and morally upright.
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/

adjectiveC1specific
Employ 'virgen' when referring to something in its original, unmixed state, often used with 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.

Confusing 'puro' with 'inocente'

Learners often confuse 'puro' (pure, unmixed) with 'inocente' (naive, childlike). Remember that 'puro' describes the state of a thing (like clean air), while 'inocente' describes a person's lack of worldliness or guile.

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