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How to Say "fickle" in Spanish

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caprichoso

ka-pree-CHOH-soh/ka.pɾiˈt͡ʃo.so/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'caprichoso' when referring to someone or something that is inconsistent due to changing whims or desires, often implying a lack of loyalty or predictability in preferences, especially regarding taste or behavior.
A child in a bright room surrounded by many different toys, holding a toy airplane while looking longingly at a stuffed bear across the room.

Examples

El jurado fue muy caprichoso, cambiando su decisión varias veces.

The jury was very fickle, changing their decision several times.

Mi hermano pequeño es muy caprichoso con la comida.

My little brother is very picky and unpredictable with food.

No seas caprichosa, no podemos comprar todo lo que ves.

Don't be so impulsive; we can't buy everything you see.

El destino es caprichoso y nos volvió a reunir.

Fate is unpredictable and brought us together again.

Matching the Person

Remember to change the ending to 'caprichosa' if you are talking about a woman or a girl, and use 'caprichosos/as' for groups.

Choosing the right 'to be'

Use 'ser' if being whimsical is part of someone's personality. Use 'estar' if they are just acting that way right now.

Using it only for people

Mistake: “Only using 'caprichoso' for spoiled children.”

Correction: You can also use it for nature or inanimate objects that act in unpredictable ways, like the wind or the sea.

variable

/bah-ryah-bleh//baˈɾjaβle/

adjectiveB1general
Choose 'variable' when describing something that changes frequently and unpredictably, most commonly used for conditions like weather or moods, rather than personal loyalty.
A colorful chameleon standing on a branch, its skin transitioning between bright green and vibrant orange.

Examples

Su carácter es muy variable; a veces está alegre y otras veces está enfadado.

His personality is very fickle; sometimes he is happy and other times he is angry.

El clima en esta ciudad es muy variable.

The weather in this city is very changeable.

Ella tiene un humor variable según el día.

She has a fickle mood depending on the day.

Los resultados de la prueba fueron variables y poco claros.

The test results were inconsistent and unclear.

One Form for All

Since this word ends in '-e', it doesn't change for masculine or feminine nouns. You can say 'un clima variable' or 'una persona variable' without changing the ending.

Making it Plural

To talk about more than one thing, simply add an '-s' to the end: 'variables'.

Confusing with 'Variado'

Mistake: “La comida es muy variable.”

Correction: La comida es muy variada.

Choosing between 'caprichoso' and 'variable'

Learners often confuse 'caprichoso' and 'variable' by using 'variable' for personal preferences or loyalty. Remember that 'caprichoso' is best for describing inconsistency driven by whims or desires, while 'variable' is better for describing fluctuations in conditions or moods.

Related Translations

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