Inklingo

How to Say "fortunate" in Spanish

English → Spanish

afortunado

ah-for-too-NAH-doh/a.for.tuˈna.ðo/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'afortunado' when you mean 'lucky' or 'blessed by fate' in a way that implies external circumstances or destiny have been favorable to you.
A close-up illustration of a perfect, vibrant green four-leaf clover.

Examples

Soy muy afortunado de tener amigos tan buenos.

I am very fortunate to have such good friends.

Fue un comentario afortunado que calmó la situación.

It was a fortunate comment that calmed the situation.

¿Te sientes afortunada hoy? ¡Yo sí!

Do you feel lucky today? I do!

Gender and Number Agreement

As an adjective, 'afortunado' changes its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'afortunada' (feminine singular), 'afortunados' (masculine plural), 'afortunadas' (feminine plural).

Using Ser or Estar

You typically use 'ser' (es/son) because being lucky is seen as a characteristic or long-term state. However, you can use 'estar' (está/están) if you are describing a temporary feeling: 'Estoy afortunado hoy' (I feel lucky today).

Forgetting the Gender Change

Mistake: “Ella es afortunado.”

Correction: Ella es afortunada. (The adjective must end in -a to match the feminine subject 'ella'.)

feliz

/feh-LEES//feˈlis/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'feliz' when you mean 'happy' or 'lucky' in a more general sense, often describing an internal state of joy that may be caused by good fortune but isn't solely about it.
A brightly colored image of a child leaping joyfully into the air under a bright sun, illustrating happiness and contentment.

Examples

Estoy muy feliz hoy.

I am very happy today.

¡Feliz cumpleaños!

Happy birthday!

Ella tuvo una infancia feliz.

She had a happy childhood.

One Form for Masculine & Feminine

Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'feliz' doesn't change for men or women. It's always 'feliz'. For example: 'un hombre feliz' (a happy man) and 'una mujer feliz' (a happy woman).

Making it Plural

To talk about more than one person or thing, 'feliz' changes to 'felices'. The 'z' becomes a 'c'. For example: 'Los niños están felices' (The children are happy).

Two Ways to Be Happy: 'Ser' vs. 'Estar'

Use 'estar feliz' for a temporary feeling or mood ('I'm happy right now'). Use 'ser feliz' to describe someone's general nature or a deep, lasting state of being ('He is a happy person').

Using 'Ser' for a Temporary Feeling

Mistake: “Soy feliz porque hoy es viernes.”

Correction: Estoy feliz porque hoy es viernes. (Use 'estar' for feelings caused by a specific event, like it being Friday.)

Forgetting the Plural Form

Mistake: “Mis amigos son muy feliz.”

Correction: Mis amigos son muy felices. (When talking about more than one person, remember to change 'feliz' to 'felices'.)

Confusing 'afortunado' with 'feliz'

Learners often use 'feliz' when they specifically mean 'lucky' or 'blessed by fate'. Remember that 'afortunado' directly translates to being fortunate due to luck or destiny, while 'feliz' simply means happy, which can be a consequence of being fortunate but is not the same thing.

Related Translations

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