rico
/REE-koh/
wealthy
When someone is rico, they are wealthy and financially abundant.
📝 In Action
Su familia es rica porque tienen una gran empresa de tecnología.
A2His family is rich because they own a large technology company.
Quiero ser rico y viajar por todo el mundo.
B1I want to be wealthy and travel all over the world.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine vs. Feminine
Remember that 'rico' is the masculine form (for men or things like 'el país rico'). Use 'rica' for feminine nouns (like 'la mujer rica').
⭐ Usage Tips
Ser vs. Estar
Use 'ser' (Ella es rica) when describing permanent wealth, as it's seen as a lasting trait of the person or country.
This food is so tasty, it is rico!
📝 In Action
¡Qué rico está este café! ¿Qué le pusiste?
A1How delicious this coffee is! What did you put in it?
La comida mexicana es muy rica en especias.
A2Mexican food is very rich in spices (flavorful).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Taste requires 'Estar'
Mistake: "El pastel es rico. (The cake is a rich person.)"
Correction: El pastel está rico. (The cake tastes good.) The verb 'estar' is always used when describing how food currently tastes.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use for Smell, Too
You can use 'rico' to describe a pleasant smell (Hueye rico - It smells good) as well as a pleasant taste.
Rico can describe something that is rich, full of, or abundant, like fertile soil.
📝 In Action
La zona costera es rica en biodiversidad.
B1The coastal area is rich in biodiversity.
Me gusta mucho el color azul oscuro, se ve muy rico.
B2I really like the dark blue color, it looks very rich (deep).
💡 Grammar Points
The preposition 'En'
This meaning almost always uses the preposition 'en' (in/with) to indicate what the thing is rich in: 'rico en vitaminas,' 'rico en petróleo.'
When referring to a person, rico can mean attractive.
📝 In Action
Esa actriz está muy rica. Todos la admiran.
B2That actress is very attractive/hot. Everyone admires her.
No puedo concentrarme, mi compañero de trabajo está súper rico.
C1I can't concentrate, my coworker is super hot.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use 'Estar' for Attractiveness
Like with taste, you use 'estar' to express temporary opinion or state of appearance: 'Está rico' (He/She is attractive/hot). Using 'Ser' (Es rico) would refer to their wealth.
Be Cautious!
In many regions, saying someone 'está rico/a' can be considered very direct, objectifying, or even inappropriate in professional or formal settings.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: rico
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'rico' to describe a permanent state?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'rico' means 'wealthy' or 'delicious'?
The easiest way is by checking the verb used! If they use the verb 'ser' (Ella es rica), they mean she is wealthy. If they use the verb 'estar' (La sopa está rica), they mean the soup tastes good. This is a crucial rule for 'ser' vs. 'estar'.
Can I use 'rico' to describe things other than food and people?
Yes! You can use it to describe something that is abundant or full of desirable things. For example, 'una biblioteca rica en libros' (a library rich in books) or 'un terreno rico en hierro' (land rich in iron).