matiz

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nuance, shade, shade, hue
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/maˈtis/
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A subtle quality that changes how something looks or is understood.
Practice using matiz in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • El cielo adquirió matices violetas al anochecer.
    The sky took on violet hues at dusk.
  • Hay un matiz importante entre prometer y garantizar.
    There is an important nuance between promising and guaranteeing.
  • Buscaban un matiz que combinara con la pared.
    They wanted a shade that matched the wall.
  • La luz revela los matices del verde.
    The light reveals the shades of green.
  • No había captado ese matiz en su voz.
    I had missed that nuance in his voice.

Similar words

tono
cariz
viso
tinte
tinte
tono
tonalidad

Meanings

Subtle distinction

noun
communication
neutral
A slight difference in meaning, feeling or character that affects how something is understood.

Examples

  • Hay un matiz importante entre prometer y garantizar.
    There is an important nuance between promising and guaranteeing.
  • Su respuesta tenía un matiz de ironía.
    Her answer had a hint of irony.
  • El debate perdió los matices al pasar a las redes.
    The debate lost its nuances when it moved online.
  • No había captado ese matiz en su voz.
    I had missed that nuance in his voice.
  • El informe introduce un matiz que cambia la conclusión.
    The report adds a qualification that changes the conclusion.

Similar words

tono
cariz
tinte
viso

Shade of colour

noun
colour
neutral
One variation of a colour, especially a fine difference in tone.

Examples

  • El pintor eligió un matiz más cálido de azul.
    The painter chose a warmer shade of blue.
  • La luz revela los matices del verde.
    The light reveals the shades of green.
  • Buscaban un matiz que combinara con la pared.
    They wanted a shade that matched the wall.
  • Cada matiz del rojo produce una impresión distinta.
    Each shade of red creates a different impression.
  • El cielo adquirió matices violetas al anochecer.
    The sky took on violet hues at dusk.

Similar words

tono
tonalidad
tinte

Etymology

From Spanish matizar, “to vary in tone or shade”; the earlier origin of the verb is uncertain.

FAQ

What does matiz mean?

A subtle distinction or a shade of colour.

Is matiz masculine?

Yes: el matiz; the plural is matices.

Can it describe someone's tone?

Yes. A matiz de ironía is a hint of irony in how something sounds.

How is it different from color?

A matiz is a particular variation within a colour, rather than colour in general.

Can an argument have matices?

Yes. They are the fine distinctions that a simple summary may miss.

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