Colours

Lesson Overview: Colours in Spanish

This lesson introduces you to basic vocabulary and expressions related to colours (los colores) in Spanish. You will learn how to name common colours, describe them, and express preferences using phrases like "me gusta" and "no me gusta." The lesson covers both basic colours such as "el amarillo" (yellow) and "el azul" (blue), as well as more specific or compound colours like "el marrón" (brown) and "el naranja" (orange).

Vocabulary: Basic and Compound Colours

The lesson divides colour words into two categories:

• Basic colours: el amarillo (yellow), el azul (blue), el blanco (white), el negro (black), el rojo (red), el verde (green)
• Compound and specific colours: el marrón (brown), el naranja (orange)

Expressing Likes and Dislikes

You will practice using the expressions me gusta (I like) and no me gusta (I don’t like) to talk about preferences for colours and related items such as clothing and objects. For example:

• Me gusta mucho el color azul porque es muy tranquilo. (I really like the color blue because it is very calm.)
• No me gusta la ropa marrón; prefiero la ropa negra o blanca. (I don’t like brown clothes; I prefer black or white clothes.)

Practical Dialogue Situations

You will find dialogues that help you practice describing colours and expressing your preferences in everyday contexts such as shopping for clothes, talking about coloured pencils, or discussing car colours. For instance, a short exchange in a clothing store:

• ¿Te gusta esta camisa azul? Sí, me gusta mucho el color azul. ¿Y esta chaqueta marrón? No, no me gusta el color marrón.

Verb Usage and Conjugation

The lesson also focuses on important verbs related to expressing preferences and actions, including:

• Gustar (to like) – expressions like me gusta, te gusta, nos gusta
• Maquillarse (to put on makeup) – reflexive verb conjugated in the present tense
• Odiar (to hate)
• Amar (to love)

You will practice these verbs in context, for example: Nos gusta mucho la pintura verde en la oficina porque da energía. (We really like the green paint in the office because it gives energy.)

Additional Notes on Spanish and English Differences

In Spanish, when expressing likes and dislikes, the verb gustar functions differently than the English verb "to like." It is used with indirect object pronouns, so the phrase me gusta literally means "it pleases me." This construction affects sentence structure and requires attention. For example, Me gusta el color azul translates as "I like the color blue," though literally "The blue color pleases me."

Also, Spanish uses gender and number agreement in colours and articles, unlike English. For example, el color amarillo (masculine singular), but when describing feminine or plural nouns, adjectives change form, which you will explore at higher levels.

Key Useful Phrases

• ¿Te gusta...? - Do you like...?
• No me gusta... - I don’t like...
• Prefiero... - I prefer...
• ¿Qué llevas hoy? - What are you wearing today?
• Me gusta mucho... - I really like...

This lesson provides a solid foundation in talking about colours and preferences, essential for everyday conversations and cultural contexts such as discussing the Spanish flag colours or choosing clothing.