delicado
/deh-lee-KAH-doh/
delicate
A fragile glass swan illustrates the meaning 'delicate' or 'easily broken.'
delicado(Adjective)
delicate
?easily broken or damaged
,fragile
?physically weak
tender
?skin or plant life
,sensitive
?to touch or conditions
📝 In Action
Esta porcelana es muy delicada, lávala a mano.
A2This porcelain is very delicate, wash it by hand.
Las flores tropicales son delicadas y necesitan mucho sol.
B1Tropical flowers are delicate and need a lot of sun.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'delicado' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. Use 'delicada' for feminine nouns (la flor), 'delicados' for masculine plural nouns (los jarrones), and 'delicadas' for feminine plural nouns (las copas).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting Agreement
Mistake: "El cristal es muy delicada."
Correction: El cristal es muy delicado. ('Cristal' is masculine, so the adjective must end in -o.)
⭐ Usage Tips
The opposite of 'fuerte'
When describing physical objects, 'delicado' is the perfect opposite of 'fuerte' (strong). If something breaks easily, it is 'delicado'.
Navigating a precarious situation illustrates the meaning 'tricky' or 'complex.'
delicado(Adjective)
tricky
?a complex or sensitive situation
,sensitive
?requiring careful handling
poor
?in reference to health
,awkward
?a social situation
📝 In Action
Mi tío está delicado de salud desde la operación.
B1My uncle has been in poor health since the operation.
Tuvimos que manejar el tema con mucho tacto porque era una cuestión delicada.
B2We had to handle the topic with great care because it was a sensitive issue.
💡 Grammar Points
Describing Health
When talking about someone's health, use the verb 'estar' (to be temporarily) with 'delicado' to mean they are currently ill or frail: 'Ella está delicada'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ser' for Temporary Health
Mistake: "Mi abuelo es delicado de salud."
Correction: Mi abuelo está delicado de salud. ('Ser' implies a permanent trait; 'estar' implies a current state.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Handling Tricky Issues
Think of this meaning as 'fragile' applied to non-physical things. A sensitive topic or a difficult negotiation is 'delicado' because if you handle it wrong, it might 'break' or cause conflict.
The gentle, faint aroma of a flower captures the meaning 'subtle' when referring to a flavor or scent.
delicado(Adjective)
subtle
?a flavor or scent
,refined
?taste or manners
exquisite
?quality or detail
,dainty
?appearance
📝 In Action
El vestido de novia tenía un encaje muy delicado.
B2The wedding dress had very delicate lace.
El chef creó una salsa de sabor delicado que complementó el pescado.
C1The chef created a subtle-flavored sauce that complemented the fish.
💡 Grammar Points
Describing Permanent Qualities
When describing a permanent or inherent quality (like the flavor of a dish or the design of a dress), use the verb 'ser': 'La tela es delicada' (The fabric is delicate).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Subtlety and Taste
Mistake: "Este vino es muy delicado, no me gusta."
Correction: Este vino tiene un sabor muy delicado. (While 'delicado' can describe the flavor itself, use 'fino' or 'refinado' if you mean the quality of the wine is high class.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Appreciation of Arts
'Delicado' is often used in art, food, and fashion reviews to express admiration for details that are subtle, refined, or beautifully crafted.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: delicado
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'delicado' in the context of health?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'delicado' and 'sensible'?
'Delicado' usually focuses on physical or situational fragility (easily broken, needs careful handling). 'Sensible' usually focuses on emotional or sensory sensitivity (easily hurt feelings, reacting strongly to light or noise). Both can sometimes translate to 'sensitive' in English, but 'delicado' is more about fragility.
Can I use 'delicado' to describe a person's character?
Yes, but be careful. Saying someone *es delicado* usually means they are easily offended or very sensitive (emotionally). However, saying someone *tiene modales delicados* means they have refined or gentle manners.