Inklingo

How to Say "adequate" in Spanish

English → Spanish

adecuado

ah-deh-KWAH-doh/a.ðeˈkwa.ðo/

adjectiveB1
Use 'adecuado' when something is suitable or fitting for a particular purpose or situation, implying it's the right choice.
A bright red square wooden block fitting exactly into a matching square cutout on a contrasting blue surface.

Examples

Necesitas encontrar la herramienta adecuada para este trabajo.

You need to find the appropriate tool for this job.

La respuesta que diste no fue adecuada.

The answer you gave was not suitable.

Este es el momento adecuado para empezar a estudiar.

This is the right moment to start studying.

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective, 'adecuado' must change its ending to match the noun it describes. Remember the four forms: 'adecuado' (masculine singular), 'adecuada' (feminine singular), 'adecuados' (masculine plural), and 'adecuadas' (feminine plural).

Forgetting Gender Match

Mistake: “La decisión fue adecuado.”

Correction: La decisión fue adecuada. (Since 'decisión' is feminine, the adjective must be 'adecuada'.)

decente

/deh-SEHN-teh//deˈθen̪.te/

adjectiveA2
Choose 'decente' when referring to a sufficient or acceptable amount, quality, or standard, often related to basic needs or respectability.
A simple, well-made sandwich consisting of turkey and lettuce, neatly cut in half and placed on a plain white plate, illustrating acceptable quality.

Examples

Necesitamos un sueldo decente para pagar las cuentas.

We need a decent salary to pay the bills.

La comida no era gourmet, pero era decente.

The food wasn't gourmet, but it was decent/acceptable.

El apartamento es pequeño, pero está en condiciones decentes.

The apartment is small, but it is in decent condition.

Always Ends in -e

Since 'decente' ends in '-e', it stays the same whether the noun is masculine (el trabajo decente) or feminine (la casa decente). Only change the ending for plural: 'decentes'.

suficientes

soo-fee-see-EN-tes/su.fiˈθjen.tes/

adjectiveA2
Use 'suficientes' (plural form of 'suficiente') when you want to emphasize that the quantity or number of something meets the required minimum.
A colorful illustration showing three small, woven baskets lined up. The first basket is perfectly filled with red apples, the second is perfectly filled with yellow bananas, and the third is perfectly filled with purple grapes, indicating sufficient quantities of each.

Examples

¿Tenemos suficientes platos y vasos para la fiesta?

Do we have enough plates and glasses for the party?

Necesitas tener suficientes razones para tomar esa decisión.

You need to have sufficient reasons to make that decision.

Ellos ganaron porque tenían suficientes puntos.

They won because they had enough points.

Always Plural

Since 'suficientes' means 'enough' for multiple items, you must use this plural form when describing plural nouns (like 'libros', 'sillas', or 'razones').

No Gender Change

The base word 'suficiente' is one of those helpful words that doesn't change its ending for masculine or feminine nouns. It only changes from singular ('suficiente') to plural ('suficientes').

Singular Form Error

Mistake: “Tenemos suficiente libros.”

Correction: Tenemos suficientes libros. (You must match the plural noun 'libros' with the plural adjective 'suficientes'.)

Adecuado vs. Suficiente

Learners often confuse 'adecuado' and 'suficiente' (or its forms like 'suficientes'). Remember, 'adecuado' means suitable or appropriate for a specific purpose, while 'suficiente' simply means 'enough' in quantity or amount.

Related Translations

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