colorado (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

• Adjective (when used to describe color) or noun (when referring to a person or specific context).

Phonetic Transcription

• /ko.loˈɾa.ðo/

Translation Options into English

• Red (as in the color), flushed, blushed (when referring to a person's face as in "colorado" meaning embarrassed), or it can refer to a person from Colorado.

Meaning and Usage

"Colorado" primarily refers to the color red in Spanish. It can describe various shades of red, such as scarlet, crimson, or simply red. Additionally, in some contexts, it can also mean "flushed" or "blushing," typically concerning a person's face showing color due to embarrassment or exertion.

The term is widely used in both oral and written contexts, prevalent in descriptions of objects, clothing, emotions, and more. Overall, it has a moderate frequency of use.

Example Sentences

1. El coche es color rojo.

2. The car is red.

3. Me sonrojé y me puse colorado cuando me saludó.

4. I blushed and turned red when he greeted me.

5. Ella eligió una camisa colorado para la fiesta.

6. She chose a red shirt for the party.

Idiomatic Expressions

"Colorado" can also feature in idiomatic expressions, though it typically relates more to emotional or descriptive contexts. Here are some idiomatic usages:

1. Estar colorado (to be red/blushing)

2. Me sentí tan avergonzado que estuve colorado todo el día.

   • I felt so embarrassed that I was red all day.

3. Poner colorado a alguien (to make someone blush)

4. Su comentario hizo que todos pusieran colorados a los presentes.

   • His comment made everyone blush.

5. Ver lo colorado (to see the red/in a trouble)

6. Cuando se enteró de la noticia, vio lo colorado.

   • When he heard the news, he realized he was in trouble.

7. Cantar como un colorado (sing like a canary, meaning to reveal secrets)

8. No le cuentes nada a Juan, porque cantará como un colorado.
   • Don't tell Juan anything, because he will sing like a canary.

Etymology

The word "colorado" comes from the Latin "coloratus," which means "colored" or "tinged." Over time, it evolved in the Spanish language to specifically denote the color red.

Synonyms and Antonyms

• Synonyms: Rojo (red), ruboroso (blushing), encarnado (once it refers to flush/redness on the skin).
• Antonyms: Azul (blue), verde (green), amarillo (yellow) - in the context of colors.

Overall, "colorado" is a versatile term in the Spanish language, particularly noted for its use in everyday conversation as well as its presence in idiomatic expressions illustrating emotions and reactions.