Inklingo

How to Say "delicate" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “delicate” is “delicado” — use 'delicado' when referring to something that is easily broken, damaged, or spoiled, like fine china or a sensitive plant..

delicado🔊A2

Use 'delicado' when referring to something that is easily broken, damaged, or spoiled, like fine china or a sensitive plant.

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frágilA2

Choose 'frágil' specifically for materials or objects that are prone to breaking or shattering, emphasizing their breakable nature.

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tierno🔊A1

Use 'tierno' to describe something that is physically soft, tender, or easily yields to pressure, most commonly used for food or very young living things.

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menuda🔊A2

Employ 'menuda' to describe someone or something as small, fine, or petite in build or structure, often implying a delicate appearance.

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comprometido🔊C1

Use 'comprometido' for situations or conditions that are critical, serious, or precarious, requiring careful handling due to risk or severity.

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English → Spanish

delicado

deh-lee-KAH-doh/deliˈkaðo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'delicado' when referring to something that is easily broken, damaged, or spoiled, like fine china or a sensitive plant.
A clear glass swan figurine resting gently on a soft, red velvet cushion, emphasizing its fragility.

Examples

Esta flor es muy delicada y necesita cuidados especiales.

This flower is very delicate and needs special care.

Esta porcelana es muy delicada, lávala a mano.

This porcelain is very delicate, wash it by hand.

Las flores tropicales son delicadas y necesitan mucho sol.

Tropical flowers are delicate and need a lot of sun.

Adjective Agreement

Like most Spanish adjectives, 'delicado' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. Use 'delicada' for feminine nouns (la flor), 'delicados' for masculine plural nouns (los jarrones), and 'delicadas' for feminine plural nouns (las copas).

Forgetting Agreement

Mistake: “El cristal es muy delicada.”

Correction: El cristal es muy delicado. ('Cristal' is masculine, so the adjective must end in -o.)

frágil

AdjectiveA2General
Choose 'frágil' specifically for materials or objects that are prone to breaking or shattering, emphasizing their breakable nature.

Examples

El paquete contenía objetos frágiles, así que lo manipulamos con sumo cuidado.

The package contained fragile objects, so we handled it with extreme care.

tierno

tee-EHR-noh/ˈtjeɾno/

AdjectiveA1General
Use 'tierno' to describe something that is physically soft, tender, or easily yields to pressure, most commonly used for food or very young living things.
A close-up view of a fork easily slicing through a thick piece of roasted steak resting on a white plate, demonstrating the meat's tender texture.

Examples

El cordero estaba tan tierno que se deshacía en la boca.

The lamb was so tender it melted in your mouth.

El chef cocinó el bistec hasta que quedó muy tierno.

The chef cooked the steak until it was very tender.

Estas hojas de lechuga son muy tiernas; cómelas pronto.

These lettuce leaves are very soft/delicate; eat them soon.

Agreement is Key

Since 'tierno' is an adjective, you must change the ending to match the noun it describes: 'el pollo tierno' (masculine singular), 'la fruta tierna' (feminine singular), 'los tallos tiernos' (masculine plural).

menuda

meh-NOO-dah/meˈnuða/

AdjectiveA2General
Employ 'menuda' to describe someone or something as small, fine, or petite in build or structure, often implying a delicate appearance.
A tiny brown field mouse sitting next to a very large, imposing brown acorn, emphasizing the size difference.

Examples

A pesar de su figura menuda, tiene una gran fuerza.

Despite her petite figure, she has great strength.

Ella es una mujer muy menuda, parece que flota al caminar.

She is a very petite woman; it looks like she floats when she walks.

Necesitas herramientas menudas para arreglar ese reloj.

You need small tools to fix that watch.

Adjective Agreement

Remember that 'menuda' is the feminine form. If you were describing a small man or a small object that is masculine, you would use 'menudo'.

comprometido

/kom-proh-meh-TEE-doh//kom.pro.meˈti.ðo/

AdjectiveC1Formal/Medical
Use 'comprometido' for situations or conditions that are critical, serious, or precarious, requiring careful handling due to risk or severity.
A tiny silhouetted figure carefully walking across a very thin rope suspended high over a deep, dark canyon, illustrating a critical or precarious situation.

Examples

La situación política del país es muy comprometida.

The country's political situation is very precarious.

El paciente se encuentra en un estado muy comprometido.

The patient is in a very critical/serious condition.

La decisión del gobierno puso al país en una posición comprometida.

The government's decision put the country in a delicate/risky position.

Fragile vs. Delicate

Learners often confuse 'frágil' and 'delicado'. Remember that 'frágil' specifically refers to the risk of breaking (like glass), while 'delicado' is broader, covering things easily damaged, spoiled, or sensitive (like a delicate skin or a sensitive plant).

Related Translations

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