comprensivo
“comprensivo” means “understanding” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
understanding
Also: sympathetic
📝 In Action
Mi madre es una persona muy comprensiva.
A1My mother is a very understanding person.
Gracias por ser tan comprensivo conmigo mientras estaba enfermo.
B1Thank you for being so understanding with me while I was sick.
Necesitamos un jefe más comprensivo que sepa escuchar.
B2We need a more understanding boss who knows how to listen.
comprehensive
Also: all-encompassing
📝 In Action
El informe ofrece un análisis comprensivo de la economía.
C1The report offers a comprehensive analysis of the economy.
Adoptaron un enfoque comprensivo para resolver el conflicto.
C2They adopted an all-encompassing approach to resolve the conflict.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "comprensivo" in Spanish:
all-encompassing→comprehensive→sympathetic→understanding→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: comprensivo
Question 1 of 3
How would you describe a friend who listens to your problems and offers support?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'comprehensivus,' which comes from 'comprehendere' (to grasp or hold together). Originally, it meant 'to include' something, and later it evolved to describe the mental 'grasp' of someone else's feelings.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'comprensivo' and 'comprensible'?
Think of it this way: 'Comprensivo' is for people (an understanding person), while 'comprensible' is for things (an understandable explanation).
Can I use 'comprensivo' with the verb 'estar'?
Yes, but it's less common. Use 'es comprensivo' to say someone is generally an understanding person. Use 'está comprensivo' to say they are being particularly understanding about a specific situation right now.
Is 'comprensivo' a false friend with English 'comprehensive'?
It is a 'partial' false friend. While it can mean 'comprehensive' in formal contexts, in 90% of daily Spanish, it means 'understanding/empathetic,' which is different from the most common English use of 'comprehensive'.