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gentil

hen-TEEL/xenˈtil/

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

kind, gentle

Also: nice, amiable
Adjectivem/f (Note: The form 'gentil' is the same for both masculine and feminine singular.)A2
A storybook illustration showing a child offering an apple to a friendly, smiling squirrel, symbolizing kindness.

📝 In Action

Mi vecina es muy gentil y siempre me ayuda con las compras.

A2

My neighbor is very kind and always helps me with the groceries.

Fue un gesto muy gentil de su parte ofrecernos un café.

B1

It was a very nice gesture on his part to offer us coffee.

Necesitas ser más gentil al hablar con niños pequeños.

B1

You need to be gentler when speaking with small children.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • persona gentil – kind person
  • acto gentil – kind act

pagan

Also: heathen, gentile
Adjectivem/f (Can also function as a noun, referring to a person.)C1formal
A storybook illustration depicting ancient, moss-covered standing stones in a forest clearing, representing a non-Abrahamic or pagan place of worship.

📝 In Action

Los romanos adoraban a muchos dioses gentiles antes de la cristianización.

C1

The Romans worshipped many pagan gods before Christianization.

La Biblia a menudo usa la palabra 'gentil' para referirse a los no judíos.

C2

The Bible often uses the word 'gentile' to refer to non-Jewish people.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • pagano (pagan)
  • infiel (unbeliever, infidel)

Common Collocations

  • dioses gentiles – pagan gods

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "gentil" in Spanish:

amiable→gentile→gentle→heathen→kind→nice→pagan→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: gentil

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'gentil' in its most common, everyday meaning?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
gentileza(kindness, grace) — Noun
gentilmente(kindly, gently) — Adverb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word 'gentilis', which originally meant 'belonging to a clan or nation.' In religious contexts, it was used to mean 'non-Roman' or 'non-Jewish,' leading to the meaning of 'pagan.' Over time, the sense shifted to imply someone of good manners or noble birth, resulting in the modern meaning of 'kind' or 'gentle.'

First recorded: Medieval Spanish (c. 13th century)

Cognates (Related words)

French: gentilItalian: gentile

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'gentil' change form for men and women?

No. Since 'gentil' ends in the letter 'L', it is one of the adjectives that stays the same whether you are describing a man ('un hombre gentil') or a woman ('una mujer gentil'). It only changes form in the plural: 'gentiles'.

How is 'gentil' different from 'amable'?

'Amable' and 'gentil' are very close synonyms and often interchangeable, both meaning 'kind' or 'friendly.' 'Gentil' sometimes carries a slightly more formal or elegant connotation than 'amable,' suggesting someone who is soft-spoken and courteous.