Spanish Colors and Descriptions: DELE A1 Complete Guide
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Want to practice first? Try a General Colors Quiz!
Key Takeaways
- Learn basic color vocabulary in Spanish
- Master adjective agreement rules with colors
- Understand descriptive word order in sentences
- Learn common color combinations and expressions
- Essential for DELE A1 object descriptions and conversations
Welcome to your complete guide to Spanish colors and descriptions, essential for describing objects, clothing, and surroundings on the DELE A1 exam. Mastering color vocabulary will help you create detailed descriptions in speaking and writing sections.
Basic Colors Vocabulary
Primary and Common Colors
| Spanish | English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| rojo/roja | red | La manzana es roja |
| azul | blue | El cielo es azul |
| verde | green | La hierba es verde |
| amarillo/amarilla | yellow | El sol es amarillo |
| blanco/blanca | white | La nieve es blanca |
| negro/negra | black | La noche es negra |
DELE A1 Tip: Colors ending in -o change to -a for feminine nouns. Colors ending in -e or consonants typically don’t change for gender.
Additional Colors
Extended Color Vocabulary
| Spanish | English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| gris | gray | El elefante es gris |
| marrón | brown | El chocolate es marrón |
| rosa | pink | La flor es rosa |
| naranja | orange | La naranja es naranja |
| morado/morada | purple | La uva es morada |
Color Agreement Rules
Gender Agreement Examples
| Masculine | Feminine | English |
|---|---|---|
| el coche rojo | la casa roja | the red car/house |
| el libro amarillo | la flor amarilla | the yellow book/flower |
| el gato negro | la mesa negra | the black cat/table |
Number Agreement Examples
- los coches rojos (the red cars)
- las casas rojas (the red houses)
- los libros amarillos (the yellow books)
- las flores amarillas (the yellow flowers)
Color Placement in Sentences
Standard Adjective Placement
Most color adjectives come after the noun:
- una casa blanca (a white house)
- un coche azul (a blue car)
- unas flores rojas (some red flowers)
Exceptions
Some color expressions come before the noun:
- un gran coche rojo (a great red car)
- una pequeña casa blanca (a small white house)
Common Color Combinations
Describing Multi-colored Objects
- una camisa azul y blanca (a blue and white shirt)
- una bandera roja y amarilla (a red and yellow flag)
- un coche negro y gris (a black and gray car)
Light and Dark Shades
- azul claro (light blue)
- verde oscuro (dark green)
- rojo intenso (bright red)
DELE A1 Exam Practice
Speaking Section Examples
- Describe objects: “Tengo un coche azul“
- Talk about clothing: “Mi camisa es blanca“
- Describe rooms: “Las paredes son verdes“
- Discuss preferences: “Me gusta el color rojo“
Writing Section Examples
- Describe your favorite outfit
- Write about the colors in your room
- Describe a picture using color vocabulary
- Write about your favorite colors and why
Common Color Expressions
Idiomatic Expressions
- ponerse rojo/roja (to blush, literally “to turn red”)
- ver todo rosa (to be overly optimistic, literally “to see everything pink”)
- pasarlo en grande (to have a great time – using “grande”)
Everyday Usage
- el semáforo en rojo (the red traffic light)
- la luz verde (the green light)
- el libro blanco (the white book)
Question Forms with Colors
Common DELE A1 Questions
- ¿De qué color es…? (What color is…?)
- ¿Te gusta el color azul? (Do you like the color blue?)
- ¿Qué color prefieres? (Which color do you prefer?)
- ¿De qué color es tu coche? (What color is your car?)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Wrong gender agreement: ❌ “casa rojo” ✅ “casa roja“
- Wrong placement: ❌ “rojo coche” ✅ “coche rojo“
- Forgetting number agreement: ❌ “casas rojo” ✅ “casas rojas“
Next Step: Test Your Knowledge!
Ready to check your understanding of Spanish colors?
Take our DELE A1 Spanish Colors Quiz here to confirm you’re ready for this part of the exam.
What’s Next in Your DELE A1 Journey?
- Ready for more descriptions? Study Spanish Adjectives Guide
- Need clothing vocabulary? Review Spanish Clothing Vocabulary
- Practice all A1 vocabulary? Take a Full A1 Vocabulary Test
Good luck with your DELE A1 preparation!
