ricos
/REE-kohs/
rich
Ricos as an adjective meaning "rich" (having great wealth).
📝 In Action
Los dueños de la empresa son muy **ricos**.
A1The owners of the company are very rich.
Necesitas muchos años para volverte tan **ricos**.
A2You need many years to become that wealthy.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Placement
As an adjective, 'ricos' usually goes after the noun it describes: 'hombres ricos' (rich men). It must match the noun in number and gender.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Ser and Estar
Mistake: "Estos hombres están ricos. (These men are delicious/tasty.)"
Correction: Use 'ser' (son) when talking about permanent wealth: 'Estos hombres son ricos.' (These men are rich.)
Ricos as an adjective meaning "delicious" or "tasty."
📝 In Action
¡Qué **ricos** están estos tacos!
A1How delicious these tacos are!
Los postres de la abuela siempre eran **ricos**.
A1Grandma's desserts were always delicious.
💡 Grammar Points
Using Estar for Taste
When talking about how food tastes right now, always use 'estar' (están): 'Los tamales están ricos.' (The tamales are delicious.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Versatility
In many contexts, 'rico' is the most common and simple word for 'delicious,' much like saying 'good' in English.
Ricos as an adjective meaning "rich" or "abundant" (full of).
📝 In Action
Estos cereales son **ricos** en fibra y vitaminas.
B1These cereals are rich in fiber and vitamins.
La zona tiene yacimientos **ricos** en oro.
B2The area has deposits rich in gold.
💡 Grammar Points
The Preposition 'En'
When describing what something is rich 'in,' you almost always use the preposition 'en' (in): 'ricos en proteínas' (rich in proteins).
Ricos as a noun meaning "the rich" (wealthy people collectively).
📝 In Action
Los **ricos** pagan más impuestos en este país.
A2The rich pay more taxes in this country.
A veces, los **ricos** no tienen tiempo libre.
B1Sometimes, wealthy people don't have free time.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective as Noun
In Spanish, you can use the definite article ('los') before an adjective ('ricos') to make it act like a noun, referring to the entire group described by that adjective.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ricos
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'ricos' to mean 'delicious'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How can one word mean both 'rich' (money) and 'delicious' (food)?
The core idea of 'rico' is 'abundance' or 'high quality.' When applied to people, it means an abundance of money. When applied to food, it means an abundance of good flavor or quality ingredients, which we translate as 'delicious.'
Should I use 'ser' or 'estar' with 'ricos'?
Use 'ser' (son) when describing permanent wealth or inherent qualities ('Ellos son ricos'). Use 'estar' (están) when describing the temporary state of food ('Los postres están ricos') or a temporary feeling.