dorarse

Dorarse is a Spanish reflexive verb meaning to become tan or bronze, typically through sun exposure or a tanning source. In everyday usage it describes a change in the color of the skin toward a golden-brown, as opposed to simply applying color or paint to an object.

In common use, dorarse is used to refer to the skin of a person or to describe a surface that gains a bronze tone. The verb commonly appears with reflexive pronouns or with constructions that indicate the subject experiences the tanning effect. For example: “Después de pasar la tarde al sol, se me doró la piel” or “Ella se doró el rostro con protector.” More general expressions such as “broncearse” or “dorarse” convey the same idea of acquiring a sun-kissed color.

Etymology and related terms: dorarse derives from dorar, which means to brown or gold, as with food or metal. The root is associated with the color gold and with achieving a bronze hue. Related verbs include broncearse (to bronze one’s skin) and dorado (the adjective or noun for the bronze or golden color).

Usage notes: dorarse is most common when discussing natural color changes due to sunlight or artificial tanning. It is less typical for non-skin contexts, where dorar can still mean to brown a surface or food in culinary or decorative senses. In many contexts, broncearse is a direct synonym and often used interchangeably depending on regional preference.