oscuro
Lemma Details
Translation: dark; obscure; dim; gloomy; unclear
Part of Speech: adjective
Etymology: From Latin 'obscurus' meaning 'dark, dim, indistinct'. The English word 'obscure' is a direct cognate, both deriving from the same Latin root. The Latin term combines 'ob-' (against, over) and '-scurus' (related to 'covering'). The Spanish form evolved through phonetic changes typical of Romance language development, dropping the 'b' sound and simplifying the consonant cluster.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
El cielo se puso oscuro antes de la tormenta.
The sky turned dark before the storm.
Sus intenciones son oscuras.
His intentions are unclear.
Prefiero los colores oscuros para mi ropa.
I prefer dark colors for my clothes.
El pasado de ese hombre es bastante oscuro.
That man's past is quite obscure.
Entramos en un pasillo oscuro y estrecho.
We entered a dark and narrow hallway.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'obscure' in English, which sounds similar and has related meanings.
- Associate with 'Oscar' awards ceremony, which is typically held in a darkened theater.
- Remember 'o-SCUR-o' sounds like 'secure' with an 'o' - things kept in the dark are often secure/hidden.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
In Spanish literature and art, 'oscuro' often carries symbolic meaning beyond its literal sense, representing mystery, the unknown, or negative emotions. The concept of 'claroscuro' (chiaroscuro in art) contrasts light and dark elements and is an important artistic technique discussed in Spanish art criticism.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Escuro' is an archaic or dialectal variant of 'oscuro'. In modern standard Spanish, 'oscuro' is the correct form.
Confused word:
En algunos textos antiguos aparece 'escuro' en lugar de 'oscuro'.
In some ancient texts 'escuro' appears instead of 'oscuro'.
Notes: The form 'escuro' may still be heard in some rural dialects or read in older texts, but 'oscuro' is the standard form in modern Spanish.
Mnemonic: 'Oscuro' begins with 'o' like 'opaque' - both relate to blocking light.
Explanation: While they sound similar, 'seguro' means 'safe' or 'sure', completely different from 'oscuro' (dark).
This word:
El sótano es muy oscuro, necesitamos una linterna.
The basement is very dark, we need a flashlight.
Notes: Both words end in '-uro' but have completely different meanings and contexts.
Mnemonic: 'Seguro' contains 'seg-' like 'security', while 'oscuro' relates to 'obscurity'.