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"Gris" is an adjective which is often translated as "gray", and "negro" is an adjective which is often translated as "black". Learn more about the difference between "gris" and "negro" below.
gris(
grees
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (color)
a. gray (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
El vestido gris es muy elegante, ni demasiado claro, ni demasiado oscuro.The gray dress is very elegant, not too bright, not too dark.
b. grey (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¡Mi pelo ya está gris y solo tengo 29 años!My hair is already grey and I am only 29 years old!
2. (weather)
a. overcast
Los días grises son perfectos para hornear galletas.Overcast days are perfect for baking cookies.
3. (mood)
a. gloomy
Después de romperse con ella, se puso gris y no quería ver a nadie.After breaking up with her, he became gloomy and didn't want to see anybody.
a. dull
Con una presentación tan gris, nadie le prestaba atención.With such a dull presentation, no one was paying attention.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
5. (color)
a. gray (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Quiero pintar mi cuarto gris, pero mi esposa dice que es muy deprimente.I want to paint my room gray, but my wife says it's too depressing.
b. grey (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El gris es un color adecuado para los uniformes escolares, muy fácil de lavar.Grey is an appropriate colour for school uniforms, very easy to wash.
negro(
neh
-
groh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (color)
2. (skin color)
3. (bronzed)
a. tanned
Pasó dos días en la playa y volvió completamente negra.She spent two days at the seaside and was completely tanned on her return.
5. (colloquial) (cross)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡Estoy negro de esperar!I've had enough of waiting!
¡Me pone negra que la gente sea tan maleducada!It drives me crazy when people are so rude!
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
7. (person)
a. black person
Muchos negros de los Estados Unidos emigraron a Liberia en el siglo XIX.Many black people in the United States emigrated to Liberia in the 19th century.
8. (writer)
a. ghostwriter
Contrató a un negro para que escribiera sus memorias.He hired a ghostwriter to write his memoirs.
9. (colloquial) (term of endearment) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. honey (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¿Qué tal, negro? Pareces triste hoy.How are you, honey? You look sad today.
