alegre
/ah-LEH-greh/
happy
When someone is alegre, they are happy and full of joy.
alegre(adjective)
happy
?describing mood or personality
,cheerful
?describing temperament
joyful
?general positive feeling
📝 In Action
Mi abuela es una persona muy alegre y siempre está sonriendo.
A1My grandmother is a very cheerful person and is always smiling.
Estuvimos muy alegres después de recibir la buena noticia.
A2We were very happy after receiving the good news.
¿Por qué no estás alegre hoy? ¿Pasó algo?
A1Why aren't you happy today? Did something happen?
💡 Grammar Points
Agreement with Nouns
Since 'alegre' ends in '-e', it always stays the same regardless of whether you are describing a man or a woman. It only changes when describing multiple people or things: 'alegres'.
Ser vs. Estar
Use 'ser' (Ella es alegre) to describe a person's lasting personality or character, and 'estar' (Él está alegre) to describe a temporary feeling or mood right now.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'alegro' for masculine
Mistake: "El chico está alegro."
Correction: El chico está alegre. 'Alegre' is the form used for both men and women because it ends in '-e'.
⭐ Usage Tips
More than just 'happy'
'Alegre' often suggests a lively, outwardly expressive happiness, more like 'bubbly' or 'cheerful,' whereas 'feliz' can describe a deeper, quieter happiness.
Alegre can describe a lively and energetic atmosphere, like a party or upbeat music.
alegre(adjective)
lively
?describing atmosphere or music
,bright
?describing colors or décor
festive
?describing an event
,vibrant
?describing colors
📝 In Action
Decoramos la sala con colores muy alegres para la fiesta.
B1We decorated the living room with very bright colors for the party.
La música de la banda era muy alegre y nos hizo bailar.
B2The band's music was very lively and made us dance.
Tiene un estilo de vestir muy alegre, lleno de estampados.
B1She has a very vibrant style of dressing, full of patterns.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
When describing things, 'alegre' means they cause cheerfulness or are full of life, like a color that lifts your mood or music that makes you want to dance.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Sounds
Use 'alegre' to describe upbeat or joyful music, but not usually to describe loud or noisy sounds (for that, use 'ruidoso' or 'fuerte').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: alegre
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'alegre' to describe a permanent personality trait?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'alegre' and 'feliz'?
'Alegre' usually describes an outward feeling—being cheerful, lively, or bubbly. 'Feliz' describes a deeper, more profound state of happiness or fortune. While similar, 'alegre' emphasizes the visible expression of joy.
Does 'alegre' change its ending for masculine and feminine?
No. Because it ends in '-e', the singular form 'alegre' is used for both masculine (el chico alegre) and feminine (la chica alegre) nouns. Only the plural form changes to 'alegres'.