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"Colorear" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to color", and "sombrear" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to shade". Learn more about the difference between "colorear" and "sombrear" below.
colorear(
koh
-
loh
-
reh
-
ahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to color (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Voy a colorear el tejado de la casa de rojo, y las puertas y ventanas de azul.I'm going to color the roof of the house red and the doors and windows blue.
b. to colour (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Tienes que hacer un dibujo y colorearlo con crayones.You have to draw a picture and colour it with crayons.
2. (to tint)
3. (to add to)
a. to embellish
A mi abuela le gusta colorear los cuentos de hadas con detalles que no están en los libros.My grandma likes to embellish fairy tales with details that are not in the books.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
4. (to ripen)
a. to redden
Los pimientos colorearon y ya se pueden comer.The peppers have reddened and can now be eaten.
sombrear(
sohm
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breh
-
ahrr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to shade
Estoy sombreando el rostro para darle más profundidad.I am shading the face to give it more depth.