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"Moreno" is an adjective which is often translated as "dark-skinned", and "rubio" is an adjective which is often translated as "blond". Learn more about the difference between "moreno" and "rubio" below.
moreno(
moh
-
reh
-
noh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (skin)
b. dark
Este color de pintalabios es ideal para mujeres con piel morena.This lipstick color is perfect for women with dark skin.
2. (hair)
a. dark-haired
Mi hija es morena y mi hijo es rubio.My daughter is dark-haired and my son is blonde.
b. dark
Me gustan los chicos con pelo moreno y ojos azules.I like boys with dark hair and blue eyes.
3. (culinary)
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Cómo haces para ponerte tan moreno?How do you get so brown?
Me puse morena después de un par de días en la playa.I got a tan after two days at the beach.
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).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. tan
¿Qué puedo hacer para mantener el moreno por más tiempo?What can I do to make my tan last longer?
rubio(
rroo
-
byoh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (hair color)
a. blond (especially masculine)
Todos los hombres en mi familia son rubios.All of the men in my family are blond.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
2. (tobacco)
a. blond tobacco
El rubio es mucho más dañino que el negro.Blond tobacco is much more harmful than dark tobacco.
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).
a. blond (especially masculine)
No creo que Javier sea un rubio natural.I don't think Javier is a natural blond.
b. blonde (feminine)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
¿Quién es esa rubia que está hablando con Pepe? ¡Está buenísima!Who's that blonde talking to Pepe? She's really hot!
c. blond man (masculine)
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
Había un rubio muy guapo en la pista de la disco.There was a very handsome blond man out on the dance floor.
d. blonde woman (feminine)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
"Aquella de allí es mi hermana," dijo Pedro, señalando a la rubia que hablaba con Merche."That's my sister over there," said Pedro, pointing to the blonde woman who was talking to Merche.
e. fair-haired man (masculine)
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
Mi novio es aquel rubio de allá.My boyfriend is that fair-haired man over there.
f. fair-haired woman (feminine)
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
A mí me gustan tanto las morenas como las rubias.I like dark-haired women as much as fair-haired women.
h. fair-haired person
Los rubios tienen que protegerse del sol.Fair-haired people need to protect themselves from the sun.
