vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Es" is a form of "ser", a copular verb which is often translated as "to be". "Negro" is an adjective which is often translated as "black". Learn more about the difference between "negro" and "es" below.
negro(
neh
-
groh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. black
¿Prefieres el vestido rojo o el negro?Do you prefer the red dress or the black dress?
b. dark (eyes)
Tiene unos ojos negros de impresión.He has striking dark eyes.
a. black
Mi padre es blanco y mi madre es negra.My father is white and my mother is black.
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.
a. gloomy
Tiene una visión muy negra de la vida.She takes a very gloomy view of life.
5.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(cross)
a.
The following examples show ways to translate this word or phrase without using a direct equivalent.
no direct 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).
masculine noun
a. black
El negro pega con todo.Black suits everything.
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).
masculine or feminine noun
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.
a. ghostwriter
Contrató a un negro para que escribiera sus memorias.He hired a ghostwriter to write his memoirs.
9.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(term of endearment)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. honey
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
¿Qué tal, negro? Pareces triste hoy.How are you, honey? You look sad today.
Copyright © 2026 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
ser(
sehr
)
A copular verb links the subject of a clause to the predicate (e.g., My brother is tall).
copular verb
a. to be
Es alto y rubio.He's tall and blond.
Mi abuela es profesora.My grandma is a teacher.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to be
Soy de Nueva York.I'm from New York.
a. to be
El lápiz es para escribir, no para lanzar.Pencils are for writing, not for throwing.
a. to be
¿Cuánto es el total? - Son diez dólares.How much does it come to? - It's ten dollars.
a. to be made of
El casillero antiguo de mi abuela es de roble.My grandma's antique dresser is made of oak.
a. to be
Este reloj es de mi madre.This watch is my mother's.
a. to be
La fiesta será en mi casa.The party will be at my place.
a. to root for
Yo soy del mejor equipo del mundo: FC Barcelona.I root for the best team in the world: FC Barcelona.
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
impersonal verb
a. to be
Son las siete de la mañana.It is seven in the morning.
Era de noche cuando llegaron.It was night when they arrived.
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
auxiliary verb
a. to be
El edificio fue diseñado por un equipo de arquitectos.The building was built by a team of architects.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. being
Hay un ser vivo en el lago, pero no sé qué es.There's a living being in the lake, but I don't know what it is.
a. person
Su papá es un ser muy agradable.Her dad is a very nice person.
Copyright © 2026 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.