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"Mulato" is a noun which is often translated as "person of mixed ethnicity", and "moreno" is an adjective which is often translated as "dark-skinned". Learn more about the difference between "mulato" and "moreno" below.
el mulato, la mulata, mulato(
moo
-
lah
-
toh
)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. person of mixed ethnicity
Hay muchos mulatos en los barrios de las afueras.There are a lot of people of mixed ethnicity in the suburbs.
b. person of mixed heritage
El padre del mulato a era del Congo.The father of the person of mixed heritage was from the Congo.
c. mulatto (old-fashioned) (pejorative)
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
En tiempos pasados, el club no admitía mulatos ni indios.In former times, mulattos and Indians were not allowed in the club.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. of mixed heritage
Una encuesta mostró que los niños mulatos en la escuela sacaban mejores notas en los exámenes.A survey found that children of mixed heritage at the school performed better on tests.
b. of mixed ethnicity
La gente cree que soy negro pero en realidad soy mulato.People think I'm black, but I'm actually of mixed ethnicity.
c. mulatto (old-fashioned) (pejorative)
A word or phrase that is seldom used in contemporary language and is recognized as being from another decade, (e.g., cat, groovy).
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
El vecindario ayudó a un esclavo mulato a escapar de la plantación.The neighborhood helped a mulatto slave escape the plantation.
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?
