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nacarado means pearly — a common term in Beautiful Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: November 26, 2025

✨ Beautiful Spanish

nacarado

adjective • /[na-ka-RA-do]/

pearly

Example:

Su piel tenía un tono nacarado.

Her skin had a pearly glow.

🧠 What does nacarado mean?

The adjective 'nacarado' describes a surface that has a lustrous, iridescent sheen, similar to that of 'nácar' (mother-of-pearl). It means 'pearly' or 'pearlescent' and is used to describe colors, finishes, and textures that reflect light in a soft, shimmering way. This quality is often associated with cosmetics, paint finishes, and delicate natural objects.

📚 Extra examples

  • El coche tenía un acabado nacarado que brillaba sutilmente bajo el sol.
    The car had a pearly finish that shimmered subtly under the sun.
  • Eligió una sombra de ojos de un tono rosa nacarado para la fiesta.
    She chose an eyeshadow in a pearly pink shade for the party.
  • La luz de la luna le daba un brillo nacarado a las tranquilas aguas del lago.
    The moonlight gave a pearly sheen to the calm waters of the lake.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'nacarado' comes directly from 'nácar', the Spanish word for 'mother-of-pearl'. This material, found on the inner layer of certain mollusk shells, is prized for its beautiful iridescent luster, which is the exact quality the adjective 'nacarado' describes.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "nacarado"

Synonyms: perlado, iridiscente, satinado, lustroso
Opposites: mate, opaco, sin brillo, deslucido

🔍 See more beautiful spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'pearly' in Spanish?
The most direct translation for 'pearly' is 'nacarado'. Another common alternative is 'perlado'.
How do you pronounce 'nacarado' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is nah-kah-RAH-doh. The stress falls on the third syllable, 'ra'.
How do you use 'nacarado' in a sentence?
Here is an example sentence using 'nacarado': 'La concha marina tenía un interior nacarado con reflejos iridiscentes.' (The seashell had a pearly interior with iridescent reflections.)
What is the English translation of 'nacarado'?
The English translation of 'nacarado' is 'pearly' or 'pearlescent'.
Does 'nacarado' change for gender or number?
Yes, as an adjective, it must agree with the noun it modifies. The forms are: 'nacarado' (masculine singular), 'nacarada' (feminine singular), 'nacarados' (masculine plural), and 'nacaradas' (feminine plural).
Is 'nacarado' common in everyday Spanish?
It is moderately common, especially in contexts related to colors, cosmetics, fashion, and descriptive writing. It is a more specific and evocative term than a general word for 'shiny'.
Does 'nacarado' have slang or double meanings?
'Nacarado' does not have common slang or double meanings. Its use is almost always literal, referring to a pearly luster.
Is 'nacarado' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The word 'nacarado' is understood and used consistently across both Spain and Latin America to mean 'pearly'.

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