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"Negro" is an adjective which is often translated as "black", and "es alto" is a phrase which is often translated as "he's tall". Learn more about the difference between "negro" and "es alto" below.
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.
es alto(
ehs
ahl
-
toh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. he's tall
Es alto y guapo, y también inteligente y simpático.He's tall and handsome, and also intelligent and funny.
b. it's tall
Es alto y moderno, y está ubicado en el centro de la ciudad.It's tall and modern, and it's located in the city center.
d. it's high
Es alto en azúcar, no deberías comerlo tan seguido.It's high in sugar, you shouldn't eat it so often
e. is high
El volcán es alto e imponente, pero está inactivo.The volcano is high and impressive, but it's dormant.
2. (formal) (second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
