suave
/SWAH-veh/
soft
When describing texture, suave means soft and gentle to the touch.
📝 In Action
La piel del bebé es increíblemente suave.
A1The baby's skin is incredibly soft.
Me encanta esta manta, es tan suave.
A1I love this blanket; it is so soft.
El carpintero pulió la madera hasta dejarla suave.
A2The carpenter polished the wood until it was smooth.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Since 'suave' ends in 'e,' it is the same for masculine and feminine nouns (el tejido suave, la tela suave). Just add an 's' for plural: 'suaves'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Suave' and 'Blando'
Mistake: "Usar 'blando' para describir la piel o el pelo."
Correction: Use 'suave' for things that are pleasant to the touch, like skin, hair, or fabric. 'Blando' usually means something is squishy or easily compressed (like soft fruit).
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Skin
This is the most natural word to describe soft, gentle, or pleasant skin.
Suave can describe a mild, gentle flavor or sensation, like a smooth tea.
suave(adjective)
mild
?flavor or sensation
,gentle
?wind, light, personality
light
?color or sound
,subtle
?flavor or aroma
📝 In Action
Prefiero el café con un sabor más suave.
A2I prefer coffee with a milder flavor.
Había una brisa suave que nos refrescaba.
A2There was a gentle breeze refreshing us.
Él es muy suave en su trato con los clientes.
B1He is very gentle in how he deals with customers.
💡 Grammar Points
Use with Tastes
When talking about food or drink, 'suave' means 'mild' or 'not spicy/acidic/bitter.' For example, a 'vino suave' is a light, easy-drinking wine.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Voice
Use 'voz suave' to describe a quiet or gentle voice, not necessarily a low pitch.
In some contexts, suave means cool, stylish, or impressive.
suave(adjective)
cool
?stylish, impressive
,charming
?person's demeanor
smooth
?skillful, effortless
,suave
?sophisticated (English cognate)
📝 In Action
Ese carro nuevo está súper suave.
B2That new car is super cool/slick.
Con esa chaqueta y gafas de sol, te ves muy suave.
C1With that jacket and sunglasses, you look very smooth/stylish.
Su forma de bailar es tan suave, parece que no le cuesta nada.
B2His way of dancing is so smooth, it looks like it takes no effort.
💡 Grammar Points
Temporary vs. Permanent
Use 'ser' (es suave) to describe someone's inherent personality or style. Use 'estar' (está suave) to describe a temporary feeling or a specific object that is currently cool or pleasant.
⭐ Usage Tips
Slang Use
In many countries, saying something 'está suave' is a general way to say it's awesome or excellent, similar to 'cool' or 'nice.'
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: suave
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'suave' to describe a personality trait?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'suave' masculine or feminine?
'Suave' is an adjective that ends in 'e,' so it is used for both masculine and feminine nouns. You say 'el té suave' (the mild tea) and 'la luz suave' (the soft light).
What is the difference between 'suave' and 'suavemente'?
'Suave' is an adjective, meaning it describes a noun (e.g., 'el viento suave' - the gentle wind). 'Suavemente' is the adverb form (ending in -mente), meaning it describes how an action is done (e.g., 'Toca suavemente' - He touches gently/softly).