sombra
nounCEFR B2
What does “sombra” mean in English?
shadow, shade — dark area produced by blocking light; also a metaphorical cloud or doubt
shadow, shade — dark area produced by blocking light; also a metaphorical cloud or doubt (proyectar una sombra; la sombra del escándalo)
Example sentences
El escándalo financiero proyectó una sombra de desconfianza sobre todas las transacciones del sector.
The financial scandal cast a shadow of distrust over all transactions in the sector.
Los investigadores trabajan a la sombra de científicos más mediáticos pero con rigor igual de sólido.
The researchers work in the shadow of more media-friendly scientists but with equally solid rigour.
No hay ni sombra de duda de que la empresa conocía los riesgos antes de sacar el producto al mercado.
There is not a shadow of a doubt that the company knew the risks before putting the product on the market.
How to use it
La sombra (noun, feminine) means 'shadow, shade' — the dark area cast by blocking light, or metaphorically a cloud of doubt or threat. Core B2 collocations: proyectar/echar una sombra sobre algo (to cast a shadow over); a la sombra de (in the shadow of); sin la sombra de una duda (beyond a shadow of a doubt); gobierno en la sombra (shadow government). The verb is sombrear.
Common mistake
La sombra can mean either 'shadow' (cast by an object) or 'shade' (area of shade). Gobierno en la sombra = shadow government/cabinet. 'Shadow boxing' = sombra (in boxing training). Don't use oscuridad for shadow — that's darkness.