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flexible

flek-SEE-bleh/flekˈsiβle/

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

flexible

Also: bendy, supple
Adjectivem or fA2
A colorful garden hose being bent into a U-shape without breaking.

📝 In Action

El plástico es un material muy flexible.

A1

Plastic is a very flexible material.

Los gimnastas tienen que ser muy flexibles.

A2

Gymnasts have to be very flexible.

Usa una regla flexible para medir la curva.

B1

Use a flexible ruler to measure the curve.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • elástico (elastic/stretchy)
  • maleable (malleable)

Antonyms

  • rígido (rigid)
  • tieso (stiff)

Common Collocations

  • material flexible – flexible material
  • articulaciones flexibles – flexible joints

flexible

Also: adaptable, open-minded
Adjectivem or fB1
A thick piece of colorful clay being molded and shaped by hands.

📝 In Action

Tengo un horario flexible en mi trabajo.

A2

I have a flexible schedule at my job.

Debemos ser flexibles con los planes de viaje.

B1

We must be flexible with the travel plans.

Mi jefe no es nada flexible con las normas.

B2

My boss isn't flexible at all with the rules.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • adaptable (adaptable)
  • comprensivo (understanding/lenient)

Antonyms

  • estricto (strict)
  • intransigente (uncompromising)

Common Collocations

  • horario flexible – flexible schedule
  • mente flexible – flexible mind
  • normas flexibles – flexible rules

Idioms & Expressions

  • dar el brazo a torcer – to give in or be flexible after being stubborn

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "flexible" in Spanish:

adaptable→bendy→flexible→supple→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: flexible

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'A flexible woman' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
flexibilidad(flexibility) — Noun
flexibilizar(to make flexible) — Verb
flexiblemente(flexibly) — Adverb
reflexión(reflection) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'flexibilis', which comes from 'flectere', meaning 'to bend'. It shares the same root as the English word 'flexible'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: flexibleItalian: flessibilePortuguese: flexível

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does flexible change if I'm talking about a group of people?

Yes! If you are talking about more than one person or thing, just add an 's' to make it 'flexibles'.

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

Absolutely. It means they are easy-going or willing to change their mind easily.

Is it 'ser' or 'estar' flexible?

Usually 'ser' because it's considered a characteristic of a material or a person's nature. However, you might use 'estar' if someone is being surprisingly flexible in a specific moment.