placer
/plah-SEHR/
pleasure
As a noun, placer means 'pleasure' or 'satisfaction,' the feeling of enjoyment illustrated by the child's happiness.
placer(Noun)
pleasure
?the feeling of enjoyment or satisfaction
delight
?a source of great enjoyment
,joy
?a feeling of great happiness
📝 In Action
Es un placer conocerte.
A1It's a pleasure to meet you.
Leer un buen libro me da mucho placer.
B1Reading a good book gives me a lot of pleasure.
El verdadero placer está en las pequeñas cosas.
B2The real pleasure is in the little things.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
'Placer' is a masculine noun, so you always use 'el' or 'un' with it. For example, 'el placer de viajar' (the pleasure of traveling).
⭐ Usage Tips
A Polite Greeting
The phrases 'Un placer' or 'Mucho placer' are very common and polite ways to respond when you are introduced to someone, just like 'Nice to meet you'.
As a formal verb, placer means 'to please' or 'to be pleasing to.' The scene shows the act of giving satisfaction through a shared moment.
placer(Verb)
to please
?to give satisfaction or enjoyment to someone
to be pleasing
?used in a way similar to 'gustar'
📝 In Action
Si le place, podemos comenzar la reunión.
C1If it pleases you, we can begin the meeting.
No hay nada que más me plazca que un día soleado.
C2There is nothing that pleases me more than a sunny day.
💡 Grammar Points
'Placer' vs. 'Gustar'
Think of the verb 'placer' as a very formal or old-fashioned version of 'gustar'. In everyday speech, you'll almost always use 'gustar' to say you like something. 'Me gusta' is common, while 'Me place' is rare.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using it like a regular verb
Mistake: "Yo plazco la comida."
Correction: Use 'gustar' instead: 'Me gusta la comida'. The verb 'placer' is rarely used with 'yo' and often works backward like 'gustar', focusing on what is pleasing to someone.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: placer
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence is the most natural and common way to say "It's a pleasure to meet you" in modern Spanish?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use the verb 'placer' instead of 'gustar'?
Almost never in daily conversation. 'Gustar' is the go-to verb for 'to like'. You might see the verb 'placer' in classic literature, poetry, or in extremely formal, almost ceremonial situations. For 99.9% of your Spanish conversations, stick with 'gustar'.
Is 'placer' always a good thing?
Yes, as a noun, 'placer' refers to a positive feeling of enjoyment, joy, or satisfaction. It doesn't have a negative meaning.