Inklingo
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cordial

kor-dee-AHL/koɾˈðjal/

“cordial” means “cordial” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

cordial, warm

Also: hearty
Adjectivem or fB1
Two people smiling and shaking hands warmly in a friendly greeting.

📝 In Action

El recepcionista nos dio una bienvenida muy cordial.

A2

The receptionist gave us a very warm welcome.

Es fundamental mantener un ambiente cordial en la oficina.

B1

It is essential to maintain a friendly atmosphere in the office.

Le envío un cordial saludo y mi más sincero agradecimiento.

B2

I send you a cordial greeting and my most sincere thanks.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • amable (kind)
  • afectuoso (affectionate)
  • cálido (warm)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • un saludo cordial – a cordial greeting
  • trato cordial – friendly treatment
  • relación cordial – friendly relationship

cordial

Also: tonic
NounmC2formal
A small decorative glass bottle filled with a bright red liquid sitting on a wooden table.

📝 In Action

El médico le recetó un cordial para fortalecer su espíritu.

C2

The doctor prescribed a cordial to strengthen his spirit.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tónico (tonic)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "cordial" in Spanish:

cordial→hearty→tonic→warm→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: cordial

Question 1 of 3

If you want to sign off a professional email politely, which phrase should you use?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
cordialmente(cordially) — Adverb
cordialidad(cordiality) — Noun
corazón(heart) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'cordialis', which comes from 'cor' meaning 'heart'. It originally described things that were good for the heart or came straight from the heart.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: cordialFrench: cordialItalian: cordiale

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'cordial' used between close friends?

Not usually. It sounds a bit formal or distant for close friends. For friends, 'cariñoso' (affectionate) or 'majo' (nice) is better.

What is the plural of 'cordial'?

The plural is 'cordiales'. For example, 'reciban mis saludos cordiales'.

Can I use 'cordial' to describe a person's personality?

Yes, it describes someone who is consistently polite, friendly, and well-mannered.