regalo
/rreh-GAH-loh/
gift
Visualizing regalo as a noun meaning 'gift' or 'present'.
regalo(Noun)
gift
?an item given to someone without payment
,present
?especially for a birthday or holiday
bargain
?something bought very cheaply, as if it were a gift
,treat
?something special you give yourself
📝 In Action
Recibí un regalo muy bonito para mi cumpleaños.
A1I received a very nice gift for my birthday.
Gracias por el regalo, ¡me encanta!
A1Thanks for the present, I love it!
Este abrigo por veinte euros fue un verdadero regalo.
B1This coat for twenty euros was a real bargain.
Hoy me doy un regalo: una tarde sin hacer nada.
B2Today I'm giving myself a treat: an afternoon of doing nothing.
💡 Grammar Points
It's a Masculine Word
Even though you give it to a man or a woman, the word 'regalo' itself is always masculine. So, you'll always say 'el regalo' (the gift) or 'un regalo' (a gift).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Describing the Gift
Mistake: "Compré una regalo bonita."
Correction: Compré un regalo bonito. Because 'regalo' is masculine, any word that describes it (like 'bonito' for 'pretty') also needs to be in its masculine form.
⭐ Usage Tips
Not Just for Birthdays
You can use 'regalo' to describe anything that feels like a gift, even if it's not a physical object. For example, 'Tu amistad es el mejor regalo' (Your friendship is the best gift).
Visualizing regalo as the 'yo' form of the verb regalar, meaning 'I give (as a gift)'.
regalo(Verb)
I give (as a gift)
?present tense 'yo' form of regalar
I give away
?to give something for free
📝 In Action
Yo te regalo este libro porque ya lo leí.
A2I'm giving you this book because I already read it.
Siempre regalo chocolates para el Día de San Valentín.
A2I always give chocolates as a gift for Valentine's Day.
💡 Grammar Points
Saying *Who* Gets the Gift
When you use 'regalar', you often need to say who is receiving the gift. You use little words like 'le' (for 'him' or 'her') or 'te' (for 'you'). Example: 'Le regalo un libro a mi hermana' (I'm giving a book to my sister).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Saying 'Give a Gift'
Mistake: "Yo doy un regalo a mi amigo."
Correction: Yo le regalo un libro a mi amigo. While the first sentence isn't technically wrong, it's like saying 'I give a gift to my friend.' The verb 'regalar' already includes the idea of 'gift,' so it's more natural to just say 'I gift a book to my friend'.
⭐ Usage Tips
For Giving Things Away
'Regalar' is perfect for when you're giving something away for free, not just as a present. For example, if you're getting rid of old clothes, you can say 'Regalo esta chaqueta' (I'm giving this jacket away).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: regalo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'regalo' to mean an action (something someone is doing)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'regalo' and 'presente'?
They are very similar and most of the time you can use either one! 'Regalo' is generally more common in everyday conversation. Think of them like 'gift' and 'present' in English – they mean the same thing, but you might use them in slightly different situations.
Can a 'regalo' be something that isn't a physical object?
Absolutely! A 'regalo' can be an experience, a kind word, or a nice gesture. For example, you could say 'Pasar tiempo contigo es un regalo' (Spending time with you is a gift).