gracioso
/grah-SYOH-soh/
funny
The most common meaning of gracioso is 'funny' or 'amusing', describing someone or something that makes you laugh.
📝 In Action
Mi hermano es muy gracioso, siempre cuenta chistes.
A2My brother is very funny, he always tells jokes.
La película fue tan graciosa que no paré de reír.
A2The movie was so funny I couldn't stop laughing.
No te hagas el gracioso, esto es serio.
B1Don't try to be a comedian, this is serious.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Noun
Like most describing words in Spanish, 'gracioso' changes to match the person or thing it describes. Use 'graciosa' for feminine things, 'graciosos' for masculine plural, and 'graciosas' for feminine plural. (e.g., 'una broma graciosa', 'unos niños graciosos').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Funny vs. Fun
Mistake: "La fiesta fue muy graciosa."
Correction: La fiesta fue muy divertida. 'Gracioso' means 'funny' like a joke that makes you laugh. 'Divertido' means 'fun' or 'entertaining' like a party or a game.
⭐ Usage Tips
A Touch of Sarcasm
Be aware of tone! If someone does something silly or annoying, you might hear a sarcastic '¡Qué gracioso!' which means 'Oh, real funny...' or 'How clever of you...'
Less commonly, gracioso means 'graceful' or 'charming,' describing elegant movement or appealing physical form.
gracioso(Adjective)
graceful
?elegant in movement or form
charming
?pleasant or attractive
,cute
?especially for small children or animals
📝 In Action
La bailarina tenía un movimiento de manos muy gracioso.
B1The dancer had a very graceful hand movement.
Es un gatito muy gracioso y juguetón.
B1He's a very cute and playful kitten.
La niña nos dedicó una sonrisa graciosa.
B2The little girl gave us a charming smile.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Noun
This meaning also changes to match the noun it describes: 'graciosa' (feminine), 'graciosos' (masculine plural), and 'graciosas' (feminine plural).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Assuming this Meaning
Mistake: "Thinking 'gracioso' always means graceful."
Correction: Remember that 'funny' is the main meaning. This 'graceful' or 'charming' sense is less common. Context is key: if it's describing a movement, a small child, or art, it might mean graceful. If it's describing a person's personality or a story, it almost always means funny.
⭐ Usage Tips
Think 'Full of Grace'
To remember this meaning, connect 'gracioso' to its root, 'gracia,' which means 'grace.' So something 'gracioso' is literally 'full of grace,' which can mean charming, elegant, or cute.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: gracioso
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'gracioso' to mean 'graceful' or 'charming'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can 'gracioso' be an insult?
Yes, it can be, depending on the tone. If you say '¡Qué gracioso!' or 'No te hagas el gracioso' sarcastically, it's like calling someone a 'wise guy' or 'smart aleck'. It implies they are trying to be funny at an inappropriate time or are not being taken seriously.
What's the difference between 'gracioso' and 'chistoso'?
They both mean 'funny', but 'chistoso' is more specifically about telling jokes ('chistes'). Someone who is 'chistoso' is a jokester. 'Gracioso' is broader; a situation, a movie, or a person's personality can be 'gracioso' without them telling a specific joke.