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A storybook illustration showing a smiling child offering a red flower to another smiling child, symbolizing a nice and friendly personality.

simpático

seem-PAH-tee-koh

Adjectivem/fA1
nice?describing personality,friendly?describing social demeanor
Also:pleasant?general description,likeable?describing someone's appeal

📝 In Action

Mi nueva jefa es muy simpática y siempre sonríe.

A1

My new boss is very nice and always smiles.

¿Conoces a Juan? Es un chico muy simpático.

A1

Do you know Juan? He is a very friendly guy.

No es solo guapo, también es simpático.

A2

He's not just handsome, he's also pleasant/nice.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • ser simpático – to be nice/friendly (a permanent trait)
  • caer simpático – to strike someone as nice (to make a good impression)

💡 Grammar Points

Gender and Number

Like many Spanish describing words, 'simpático' must change to match the person it describes: 'un chico simpático' (masculine) vs. 'una chica simpática' (feminine).

Use with SER

You must use the verb 'ser' (to be) with 'simpático' because it describes a fundamental personality trait or characteristic that doesn't usually change.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using ESTAR instead of SER

Mistake: "Mi amigo está simpático."

Correction: Mi amigo es simpático. (Use 'ser' because being nice is a characteristic, not a temporary feeling or location.)

⭐ Usage Tips

The Root of the Word

Think of 'simpático' as having 'sympathy' or 'good feeling' for others—it’s a quick way to remember that it means 'nice' or 'friendly'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: simpático

Question 1 of 2

Which verb must you use when saying 'My neighbor is nice'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

simpatía(sympathy, friendliness, rapport) - noun
simpatizar(to get along, to sympathize) - verb
antipático(unfriendly) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'simpático' the same as 'sympathetic' in English?

Not exactly. While they share the same Greek root, 'simpático' means 'nice' or 'friendly.' If you want to say someone is 'sympathetic' (showing pity or understanding for someone's misfortune), Spanish uses words like 'compasivo' or 'solidario'.

How do I make 'simpático' negative?

You simply add the negative prefix 'anti-' to create 'antipático,' which means 'unfriendly' or 'mean.' It is the most common antonym.