atractivo
/ah-trahk-TEE-voh/
attractive
When used as an adjective, atractivo means 'attractive' or 'appealing.' This beautiful rose is certainly atractivo.
atractivo(adjective)
attractive
?physically or generally appealing
,appealing
?describing an idea or feature
charming
?describing personality
,eye-catching
?describing visual design or packaging
📝 In Action
El nuevo actor es muy atractivo y talentoso.
A1The new actor is very attractive and talented.
La oferta de trabajo parecía atractiva, pero el salario era bajo.
A2The job offer seemed appealing, but the salary was low.
Necesitamos un diseño más atractivo para la portada del libro.
B1We need a more appealing design for the book cover.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Number Agreement
As an adjective, 'atractivo' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. Use '-a' for feminine nouns (una mujer atractiva), '-os' for masculine plural (hombres atractivos), and '-as' for feminine plural (ideas atractivas).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting Agreement
Mistake: "Los cuadros es atractivo."
Correction: Los cuadros son atractivos. (Since 'cuadros' is masculine and plural, the adjective must be too.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Ser' vs. 'Estar'
Use 'ser' (es, son) with atractivo because it describes a fundamental quality or characteristic: 'Ella es atractiva' (She is an attractive person).
As a noun, el atractivo means 'the attraction' or 'the feature that draws interest.' The dazzling sapphire is the main atractivo.
atractivo(noun)
attraction
?a feature that draws interest
,appeal
?the quality of being desirable
lure
?something that tempts or entices
,draw
?an interesting feature
📝 In Action
El principal atractivo turístico de la zona es el volcán.
B1The main tourist attraction of the area is the volcano.
Perdió su atractivo después del escándalo.
B2He lost his appeal after the scandal.
El bajo precio es el mayor atractivo de este producto.
B2The low price is the biggest draw of this product.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
When used as a noun meaning 'appeal' or 'attraction,' it is always masculine, regardless of the gender of the thing being discussed. Use 'el atractivo' or 'un atractivo'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing the Source
To explain what the attractive feature is, use the preposition 'de' (of/from). Example: 'El atractivo del plan es la flexibilidad' (The appeal of the plan is the flexibility).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: atractivo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'atractivo' as a noun?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'atractivo' and 'guapo'?
'Atractivo' is broader and can describe people, objects, ideas, or opportunities (like a job). 'Guapo' is generally reserved for describing physical beauty in people, especially referring to facial features, and is often used more informally in Spain.
Can I use 'atractivo' to mean 'magnetic' in a scientific sense?
Not usually. While the root means 'to pull,' for scientific magnetism, you should use 'magnético.' 'Atractivo' is reserved for qualities that draw emotional or visual interest.