sencillo
/sen-SEE-yoh/
simple
Sencillo (Simple): This means something that is not complicated or complex.
📝 In Action
La receta es muy sencilla, solo lleva tres ingredientes.
A1The recipe is very simple; it only has three ingredients.
Para mí, el examen de matemáticas fue bastante sencillo.
A2For me, the math exam was quite easy.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Remember that 'sencillo' must match the noun it describes in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural). For a feminine noun like 'vida', use 'sencilla'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Simple vs. Easy
While it often means 'simple,' in the context of tasks or difficulty, it is a perfect translation for 'easy' (e.g., 'es sencillo' = 'it is easy').
Sencillo (Plain): Used to describe something that is unadorned or basic.
sencillo(adjective)
plain
?unadorned, basic
,modest
?describing a person or style
unpretentious
?personality
📝 In Action
A pesar de su fama, el actor lleva una vida muy sencilla.
B1Despite his fame, the actor leads a very modest life.
Me gusta la decoración sencilla de su casa, sin muchos adornos.
B1I like the plain decoration of her house, without many ornaments.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing People
Using 'sencillo/a' to describe a person is a compliment, meaning they are down-to-earth, genuine, and not arrogant.
Sencillo (Change): When used as a noun, it refers to the small coins or bills returned in a transaction.
sencillo(noun)
change
?small coins or bills given back in a transaction
,small bill
?a low-denomination banknote
single
?baseball hit (regional)
📝 In Action
¿Tienes sencillo para pagar el autobús?
A2Do you have change (small bills) to pay for the bus?
Lo siento, no tengo sencillo, solo un billete de cincuenta.
B1I'm sorry, I don't have small bills, only a fifty-dollar note.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Sencillo' as a Noun
When referring to money, 'sencillo' acts as a masculine noun and usually means 'the small money' or 'the change' needed for exact payment.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Change (Money)
Mistake: "Using 'cambio' when asking if someone has small bills ('¿Tienes cambio?')."
Correction: While 'cambio' works for the money received back, 'sencillo' is often preferred in Latin America for the smaller bills or coins needed to pay exactly: '¿Tienes sencillo?'
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: sencillo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'sencillo' to mean 'modest' or 'unpretentious'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'fácil' and 'sencillo'?
'Fácil' (easy) focuses purely on the lack of difficulty ('The test was easy'). 'Sencillo' (simple) focuses on the lack of complexity or adornment ('The instructions were simple'). They are often interchangeable when talking about tasks, but 'sencillo' can also describe style or personality ('a simple dress').
How do I make 'sencillo' feminine or plural?
Since 'sencillo' is an adjective, you change the ending: 'sencilla' (feminine singular), 'sencillos' (masculine plural), and 'sencillas' (feminine plural). For example, 'una vida sencilla' (a simple life).