Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Necklace in Spanish
Collar · noun · koh-YAR
"Collar" is the primary Spanish word for necklace. Although it looks identical to the English word "collar," in Spanish it refers to jewelry worn around the neck rather than the collar of a shirt. The word is masculine and follows regular pluralization rules, becoming "collares."
koh-YAR
Me regalaron un collar de plata para mi cumpleaños.
They gave me a silver necklace for my birthday.
Necklace in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for necklace, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| collar | necklace | koh-YAR | Default, widely understood |
| gargantilla | necklace | specifically a choker-style necklace | |
| cadena | necklace | used when referring to a chain necklace |
How Native Speakers Use Collar
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Shopping for jewelry
Estoy buscando un collar de oro para mi esposa.
I am looking for a gold necklace for my wife.
"De oro" means "made of gold." Material descriptions follow the noun in Spanish.
Complimenting someone
¡Qué bonito collar! ¿Dónde lo compraste?
What a beautiful necklace! Where did you buy it?
"Qué + adjective + noun" is a common exclamatory construction in Spanish.
Describing a lost item
Perdí el collar que me dio mi abuela en la playa.
I lost the necklace my grandmother gave me at the beach.
The relative pronoun "que" introduces a subordinate clause describing the necklace.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Collar
False cognate confusion
Incorrect: El collar de mi camisa está sucio.
Correct: El cuello de mi camisa está sucio.
In Spanish, the collar of a shirt is "cuello," not "collar." "Collar" specifically means necklace (jewelry). This is a classic false cognate trap for English speakers.
Incorrect plural form
Incorrect: Ella tiene muchos collares bonitas.
Correct: Ella tiene muchos collares bonitos.
"Collar" is masculine, so modifying adjectives must use the masculine plural ending "-os," not the feminine "-as."
Lock in Necklace Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Collar used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using collar in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Me regalaron un collar de plata para mi cumpleaños. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Necklace in Spanish
- Is "collar" really a false cognate with English?
- This is one of the trickiest false cognates for English speakers. In English, "collar" refers to the part of a garment around the neck, but in Spanish, "collar" means necklace. The shirt collar is called "cuello" in Spanish, making it easy to mix up the two words.
- What is the difference between "collar" and "gargantilla"?
- "Collar" is the general word for any necklace, while "gargantilla" specifically refers to a choker — a short necklace that fits snugly around the throat. If you want to be specific about the style, use "gargantilla" for chokers and "collar" for everything else.
- How do I say "pendant necklace" in Spanish?
- A pendant necklace is "collar con dije" or "collar con colgante." The word "dije" is more common in Latin America, while "colgante" is preferred in Spain. Both refer to the decorative piece hanging from the chain.