30+ Different Shades of Purple in Spanish (w/Hex Codes)
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If you want to learn to say purple in Spanish quickly, look no further! Plus, learn 30+ shades of purple to describe just about anything!
This guide is your one-stop shop for learning everything you need to know about the color purple in Spanish—one of the most regal, romantic, and spiritual colors in history!
In this post, you’ll find over 30 different shades of purple in the Spanish language. Why? Because as you progress with your language skills, you’ll realize the word for purple in Spanish alone just doesn’t cut it. You’ll yearn to be more descriptive when talking—searching for words like plum, orchid, or pale purple to get your point across.
Maybe you’re preparing to travel to a Spanish-speaking country such as Spain. Or maybe you are planning to live there like I did. On the other hand, perhaps purple is your favorite color (color favorito).
Whatever your reason, learning the Spanish meaning of purple—and its many varieties—is something you’ll want to know.
Fortunately, I’m a former Spanish teacher! So, I’m going to show you different ways to do exactly that!
How to Say Purple in Spanish
There are three main ways to describe the purple color in Spanish. Let’s review them in this section just like in a Spanish/English dictionary.
1. Morado – Purple in Spanish
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Morado refers to the color purple in Spanish. This is the most basic and common way to say purple. The word morado comes from the word la mora which is a blackberry (or mulberry).
Again, purple in Spanish is morado (or morada if you’re describing a feminine noun).
2. Púrpura – Purple in Spanish
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Púrpura is another word for purple in Spanish. It has roots in the Greek language, and comes from a blood/brusing condition. Although púrpura is perhaps the easiest to memorize, it tends to sound a bit clinical.
However, one way to say purple in Spanish is technically púrpura.
3. Violeta – Violet
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Violet is one of the seven colors that Isaac Newton decided up when naming the spectrum of visible light in 1672. To be clear, it’s the last color in the rainbow! It has more blue undertones than purple and is thought to describe the flower of the same name.
The word for violet in Spanish is violeta. In some Spanish-speaking countries, violeta is the standard word for purple in Spanish.
Different Shades of Purple in Spanish
Three of the most basic words for purple in Spanish are morado, púrpura, and violeta. However, there are many different shades of this vibrant color—from pinkish/reddish purples to blue-purples. Scroll down to find the perfect shade of purple!
4. Lila – Lilac
🗣 lee-lah | 🎨 #C8A2C8
Named for the lilac plant, lila (Spanish for lilac) is a light, warm shade of purple. It’s almost pinkish and pairs well with blues, greens, and yellows when it comes to decor. The shade is soft and subdued and can represent new beginnings, new friendships, and new romances since the flower blooms in the spring.
The word for lilac in Spanish is lila. You’ll hear the name Lila in Spanish-speaking countries, too.
5. Lavanda – Lavender
🗣 lah-bawn-dah | 🎨 #E6E6FA
Referring to the blueish lavender plant, lavender is a well-known name for the color purple. According to some, lavender flowers represent silence, serenity, and grace. As you may know, lavender itself is incredibly calming and has been used in soaps and oils for centuries. To make lavender, red and blue are mixed together, then white is added.
Lavender in Spanish is lavanda. This word refers to both the color and the plant.
6. Orquídea – Orchid
🗣 or-kee-dey-ah | 🎨 #DA70D6
Orchid is a rich, bright purple that reflects the naturally vivid color of a basic orchid flower. On the border between a very warm purple and a hot pink, the color name was first documented in 1915!
Orchid in Spanish is Orquídea. This word refers to both the color and the plant.
7. Mora – Mulberry
🗣 mo-rah | 🎨 #770737
Mulberries are a beautiful dark berry similar to a blackberry. Thus, the color mulberry was named for the berry and jam way back in 1776! Mulberry is a deep, rich pinkish-purple color that was once a Crayola crayon color. Its color is similar to a dark raspberry.
You’ll find two words for mulberry in Spanish: mora and morera. Mora is the berry, and morera is the bush. Mora is also a word for blackberry in Spanish.
8. Glicina – Wisteria
🗣 glee-see-nah | 🎨 # #BDB5D5
Wisteria is a long-lived vining plant with cascades of spectacular blue to purple flowers. If you’re lucky enough to live in a zone where they grow, you can enjoy their stately blooms in spring and early summer. Named for the plant, wisteria is a light violet color.
Glicina means wisteria purple in Spanish.
You can say that something is wisteria color, or you could describe something as having the color of wisteria flowers. For example, “She was wearing a lovely dress, the color of wisteria.” In Spanish, that would be, “Llevaba un vestido precioso, del color de las glicinias.”
9. Iris – Iris
🗣 ee-rees | 🎨 #5D3FD3
Since irises bloom in a variety of purple to blue colors, the color iris is often referred to as a generic name for blue-purple. However, the color iris is a bright and stunning purple hue. It’s perfect for spring and pairs well with yellow and green shades—which you’ve very likely seen in decor.
Iris in Spanish is a cognate to English (words that are similar). Iris in Spanish is iris. This word refers to the plant, the color, and the girls’ name.
10. Morado violeta español – Spanish Violet Purple
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Named after a purple shade in a Spanish book of colors, this dark purple shade is the perfect mix between warm and cool. It’s also described as a blue-magenta.
Spanish Violet Purple in Spanish is morado violeta español.
11. Cardo – Thistle
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Thistle purple receives its name from the thistle plant, which is well associated with Scotland. It’s actually the national flower of Scotland and has been an emblem of the country for hundreds of years. Although it’s prickly, its light, warm purple hue makes it inviting, still.
Thistle in Spanish is cardo. This word refers to both the color and the plant.
12. Berenjena – Eggplant
🗣 beh-rehn-heh-nah | 🎨 #483248
This purple shade is one of the most recognizable purples as everyone knows what an eggplant (or aubergine in British English) is! It’s a beautiful vegetable with its deep dark purple hues. It’s a quite regal color, too.
Egglplant in Spanish is Berenjena. This word refers to both the color and the vegetable.
13. Ciruelo – Plum
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Plum color is a light reddish-purple, much like that of the fruit. Plum purple is a very warm purple, very close to pink. You’ll find that there are different versions of plum too, lighter or darker.
Plum color in Spanish is ciruelo. This is also the name of the yummy fruit!
14. Uva – Grape
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Grapes come in a range of colors from yellow and green to red, purple, and black. However, the grape color we all know and love is more akin to grape jelly! It’s a deep, yet bright and playful purple tone.
Grape in Spanish is uva. The fruit has the same meaning, uvas (grapes).
15. Sangría – Sangria
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Sangria is a typical Spanish drink made of wine, fresh fruit, sugar, and brandy. It’s one of the most refreshing drinks you’ll ever taste, although its name is actually derived from the Spanish word for blood (sangre)! Since it’s usually made with red wine, it can end up being almost purple in color.
Sangria in Spanish is the same word as in English: sangría.
16. Borgoña – Burgundy
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Unsurprisingly, burgundy is named after the wine from the Burgundy region in France. While you’d think it was more of a red (it’s red wine, after all), burgundy is made of 50% red and 13% blue, so you could consider it a part of the purple family.
Borgoña is the word for burgundy in Spanish.
17. Morado oscuro – Dark Purple
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Of course, sometimes you want to describe purple as dark purple, meaning it’s purple, but darker! Dark purple is a deep shade of purple. It’s often associated with royalty, luxury, romance, and mystery.
To say dark purple in Spanish, you can say, morado oscuro.
18. Púrpura claro – Light Purple
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Light purple is a paler, pastel shade of purple. Although we usually don’t give it any thought, light purple was actually popular in Impressionist paintings! It has delicate charm and romantic quality. Light purple is a soft, medium-light shade of purple, and you might also call it pastel purple, pale purple, or even lavender in practice.
Púrpura claro or morado claro is how you say light purple in Spanish.
19. Morado real – Royal Purple
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Royal purple is a beautiful and rich purple hue, associated with royalty. The ultimate jewel tone, it looks stunning with deep green, blue, and red hues. Royal purple is close to (and often called) imperial purple or Tyrian purple (#66023C), the costly dye which is harvested from small mollusks.
Royal purple in Spanish is morado real. (Real in Spanish means royal.)
20. Púrpura pálido – Pale Purple
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Pale purple is a purple color with a lot of white in it, which leaves it with just a slight purple tint. It’s often called light purple or even lavender. Pale purple is a good color choice for bedrooms as it’s a calming hue.
Púrpura pálido or morado pálido is how you say pale purple in Spanish.
21. Púrpura eléctrico – Electric Purple
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If you think 80s and 90s when you think electic purple, you wouldn’t be wrong. Electric purple is a bright and wild purple version of purple. It’s almost neon and pink at the same time, too!
Electric purple in Spanish is Púrpura eléctrico.
22. Amatista – Amethyst
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It’s easy to see where amatista (amethyst) got its name! It’s very similar in color to the crystal after which it was named. Amethysts or amethyst-colored stones are very popular in jewelry designs.
Amethyst in Spanish is amatista. This word refers to both the color and the rock.
23. Bígaro – Periwinkle
🗣 bee-gar-oh | 🎨 #CCCCFF
Although most people think that periwinkle is a light blue hue, it’s actually named after the light purple shades of the periwinkle flower. Periwinkles actually bloom in blue, purple, and white. Periwinkle, or bígaro in Spanish, is a light blue-ish purple that’s very distinct from many other colors. It’s a popular color for clothing, especially.
Periwinkle in Spanish is bígaro. This word refers to both the color and the plant.
24. Rojo violáceo – Red-violet
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As the name suggests, red-violet is a mix of red and purple. However, it’s technically a reddish-purple, not a purplish-red. It’s a bright, fun mix of the two and is a pretty standard color in a box of crayons.
Red-violet in Spanish is rojo violáceo.
25. Violeta azul – Blue Violet
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Blue violet is a deep, cool shade of purple with a hint of blue. It’s a very recognizable color and is often associated with luxury.
Blue violet in Spanish is violeta azul.
26. Malva – Mauve
🗣 mahl-bah | 🎨 #BB85AB
Mauve is a dusty, soft, muted, purple-pink color that came from a dye made from the mallow plant. Today, it’s still used mainly in textiles. Just keep your eye out, and you’ll see lots of mauve-colored clothing and soft furnishings for the home. It also comes in a range of tones.
In English, the “mau” is pronounced like the word “mow” as in to mow a lawn in English.
Mauve in Spanish is malva. This is also the Latin word from which mauve (mallow) originates.
27. Magenta oscura – Dark Magenta
🗣 mah-hen-tah oh-skoo-rah | 🎨 #8B008B
Magenta is a color that is seems to have many definitions. Some call it purple, and some consider it pink. On color wheels of the RGB and CMY color models, it’s actually located exactly midway between red and blue, so we’ll consider it purple! Dark magenta is a slightly more purplish-hue of magenta.
The word for dark magenta in Spanish is easy to learn since it’s the same word as in English! Magenta oscura means dark magenta in English.
28. Añil, Índigo – Indigo
🗣 ah-kneel, een-dee-go | 🎨 #4B0082
You likely recognize indigo as a deep, purplish blue color that’s part of the rainbow. Derived from the Greek word indikos, it’s name comes from the indigo-colored dye originating in India.
There are two words for indigo in Spanish: añil or índigo.
29. Fucsia – Fuchsia
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Fuchsia is a vivid purplish-pink color. It’s a very popular color for women’s clothing and accessories, lending a pop to any outfit. It’s actually named after the fuchsia shrubs that get their name from 16th-century German botanist Leonhart Fuchs.
Fuchsia in Spanish is fuscia.
30. Bizancio – Byzantium
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Reminiscent of the extravagance of ancient Byzantium, Byzantium is a dark and luxurious purple hue. It’s a dark reddish–purple. Although Tyrian purple (#66023C) is the more historically accurate color when referring to Roman and Byzantine empires, Byzantium comes quite close! However, it’s a relatively modern color name (1926).
Byzantium purple in Spanish is bizancio.
What is purple in Spanish: Conclusion
Now that we’ve covered many different meanings for purple in Spanish, you’ll be prepared to express yourself in any context in English or Spanish (inglés o español)! ¡Buena suerte!
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