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complacer

kom-plah-SEHR/komplaˈθeɾ/

“complacer” means “to please” in Spanish (making someone feel satisfied or happy).

to please, to satisfy

Also: to humor, to indulge
VerbB1irregular er
Spain
A young child handing a bright bouquet of flowers to a smiling grandmother.
gerundcomplaciendo
past Participlecomplacido
infinitivecomplacer

📝 In Action

Siempre intenta complacer a sus padres con buenas notas.

B1

He always tries to please his parents with good grades.

Me complace anunciar que hemos terminado el proyecto.

B2

I am pleased to announce that we have finished the project.

No puedes complacer a todo el mundo todo el tiempo.

A2

You can't please everyone all the time.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • disgustar (to upset/displease)
  • desagradar (to be unpleasant to)

Common Collocations

  • difícil de complacer – hard to please
  • me complace informar – I am pleased to inform

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedescomplacieran
yocomplaciera
túcomplacieras
vosotroscomplacierais
nosotroscomplaciéramos
él/ella/ustedcomplaciera

present

ellos/ellas/ustedescomplazcan
yocomplazca
túcomplazcas
vosotroscomplazcáis
nosotroscomplazcamos
él/ella/ustedcomplazca

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedescomplacieron
yocomplací
túcomplaciste
vosotroscomplacisteis
nosotroscomplacimos
él/ella/ustedcomplació

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedescomplacían
yocomplacía
túcomplacías
vosotroscomplacíais
nosotroscomplacíamos
él/ella/ustedcomplacía

present

ellos/ellas/ustedescomplacen
yocomplazco
túcomplaces
vosotroscomplacéis
nosotroscomplacemos
él/ella/ustedcomplace
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "complacer" in Spanish:

to humor→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: complacer

Question 1 of 3

Which is the correct 'yo' form of complacer in the present tense?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
placer(pleasure) — Noun
complacido(pleased/satisfied) — Adjective
complacencia(complacency/satisfaction) — Noun
placentero(pleasant) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'complacere', which combines 'com-' (meaning completely) and 'placere' (meaning to please).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: complacentFrench: complaire

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'complacer' different from 'gustar'?

Yes. 'Gustar' is used to say you like something (it is pleasing to you). 'Complacer' is an active verb where someone actively tries to satisfy or make another person happy.

Is it a common verb?

It's moderately common. While you might use 'hacer feliz' (make happy) in casual speech, 'complacer' is very common in literature, news, and formal settings.

Does it have a special spelling in the past tense?

No, it is regular in the preterite (past) tense: complací, complaciste, complació, etc.