sutil
“sutil” means “subtle” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
subtle
Also: nuanced, elusive
📝 In Action
Hay una diferencia muy sutil entre estos dos colores.
B2There is a very subtle difference between these two colors.
Ella hizo un cambio sutil en su peinado.
B2She made a subtle change to her hairstyle.
El humor de esa película es muy sutil.
C1The humor in 그 movie is very subtle.
keen
Also: sharp
📝 In Action
Es un observador sutil de la realidad política.
C1He is a keen observer of political reality.
Su análisis sutil reveló problemas que nadie más vio.
C1His sharp analysis revealed problems that no one else saw.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: sutil
Question 1 of 2
Which of these would most likely be described as 'sutil'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'subtilis', which originally described cloth that was woven very finely and thinly.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'sutil' different for men and women?
No! It's one of those helpful Spanish adjectives that stays the same regardless of gender. 'Un hombre sutil' and 'una mujer sutil' are both correct.
Does 'sutil' always mean 'hard to see'?
Usually, yes, but it can also mean 'intellectually sharp.' If someone has a 'mente sutil,' it means they are very clever at picking up on small details.