How Do You Say Purple in Spanish?

Purple is much more than just a pretty hue; it also has deep cultural and historical significance. The ancient Phoenicians in the Tyre area of the Mediterranean utilised a dye of this colour that they made from the shells of mollusks; the word originates from the Greek term Porphyra.

It was only the kings, queens, and emperors who could afford to have their clothes dyed in this fabled colour because of how much it cost to make. Because of this, many people mistakenly believe that purple is the colour of royalty and all things opulent and powerful.

How Do You Say Purple in Spanish

It’s also worth noting that this shade became associated with spirituality at the same time as ancient kings started thinking they were gods or divinely descended. These people wore and decorated their homes with the colour, which came to symbolise power, wealth, and opulence.

Here are the Full Guide “How Do You Say Purple in Spanish?”

We’ll examine the several Spanish expressions for “purple” and learn when each is appropriate. In Spanish, the word for a hue changes depending on its intensity and other variables that we’ll examine in more detail now.

1. Morado (Mulberry)

The real distinction between morado and prpura is that the former belongs to the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum of light, while the latter does not.

In truth, purpura refers to any shade between red and blue, while mulberry is sometimes used interchangeably with purple to describe this range of colours. In all of Latin America, the slang term “morado” can be used to describe a bruise.

2. Nazareno (Nazarene)

A shade of purple known in South America as nazareno or simply nazareno is said to have been worn by Jesus Christ before he was crucified because he declared himself to be the king of the Jews. He was tried for blasphemy, found guilty, and sentenced to death by torture while costumed as a king.

In Latin America, if you ask for something to wear and specify the colour Nazarene, you’ll get the same vibrant, distinctive purple that you’ll find on Catholic images of Jesus Nazarene or Jesus of Nazareth. This is despite the fact that the name also refers to a saint venerated by the Catholic church.

Although bishops traditionally wore purple, the colour has since come to represent the sacrifice and service Jesus Christ offered to humanity, as well as death and resurrection. Wearing the same hue as Jesus of Nazareth is regarded an insult to his purity and the sacrifice he made on the cross, even if they wear it for the same reason.

3. Violeta (Violet)

A violeta shade can be any shade between pure purple and pure blue. Nonetheless, violet can also be a reference to the viola flowers that share the same name and are the same shade of violet in the colour wheel. Because violas are such a stunning bloom, they are sometimes given the honorific “viola” in Spanish-speaking nations.

4. Lila (Lilac)

It’s a shade of purple in the violet family, although it’s considerably lighter and gentler than true violet. The color’s origin is the same flower that shares its name, whose petals are a perfect visual representation of the colour. As a feminine given name, it enjoys a high degree of usage in Spanish.

5. Lavanda (Lavender)

Named after the fragrant shrub that yields lavender blooms, Lavanda is a very light purple. Although the Spanish word lavanda is the more prevalent one, wisteria is another widespread name for this plant.

There is a common belief that the colour green is a reference to the fact that cleaning goods frequently feature the plant’s fragrant essential oil as an ingredient.

6. Violáceo (Violaceus)

Anything violet in coloration is said to be the seventh colour in the solar spectrum. Since it’s a high-brow term with roots in antiquity, we can come across it in books and poems. Similarly, bruises are frequently referred to by this term, as their signature purple colour is slow to develop and can appear in a range of shades.

7. Escarlata – Scarlet

Scarlet, which now means a very dark red, almost wine colour, wasn’t always used in this way. Scarlet is a shade of purple that sits between purple and red; it is, like Tyrian purple, one of the most precious fabrics because of its difficulty to produce and the fact that it was traditionally worn by royalty.

Concluding Ideas

Purple, a colour long associated with monarchy and flowers, has come to symbolise many other things: elegance, status, prosperity, uniqueness, and even eccentricity.

The textile industry, haute couture, and floriculture have all come to rely heavily on this contentious yet crucial hue throughout the years. I hope you’ve enjoyed learning all the various Spanish words for purple and that you’ll be better able to distinguish between purple’s various tones in the future.