Inklingo

How to Say "gift" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “gift” is “regalo” — use 'regalo' when referring to a physical item given to someone without expecting anything in return, like a birthday present.

regalo🔊A1

Use 'regalo' when referring to a physical item given to someone without expecting anything in return, like a birthday present.

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talento🔊A1

Use 'talento' to describe an innate ability or skill that someone possesses, often in a creative or intellectual field.

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presente🔊A2

Use 'presente' for a physical item offered as a gift, often implying a slightly more formal or token gesture than 'regalo'.

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donaciónA2

Use 'donación' for the formal act of giving money or property to an organization or cause.

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don🔊B1

Use 'don' to refer to a special natural talent or inherent ability.

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facilidad🔊B1

Use 'facilidad' to describe how easily someone can do something, highlighting an innate knack or aptitude for a specific task or skill.

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obsequio🔊B1

Use 'obsequio' for a formal present or offering, often given as a sign of respect, courtesy, or gratitude in professional or ceremonial contexts.

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dote🔊B2

Use 'dote' to refer to an innate quality or talent, similar to 'don' but often implying a more inherent or ingrained characteristic.

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English → Spanish

regalo

rreh-GAH-lohreˈɣa.lo

NounA1General
Use 'regalo' when referring to a physical item given to someone without expecting anything in return, like a birthday present.
A brightly wrapped, square gift box tied with a large red ribbon and bow, signifying a present.

Examples

Recibí un regalo muy bonito para mi cumpleaños.

I received a very nice gift for my birthday.

Gracias por el regalo, ¡me encanta!

Thanks for the present, I love it!

Este abrigo por veinte euros fue un verdadero regalo.

This coat for twenty euros was a real bargain.

It's a Masculine Word

Even though you give it to a man or a woman, the word 'regalo' itself is always masculine. So, you'll always say 'el regalo' (the gift) or 'un regalo' (a gift).

Describing the Gift

Mistake: “Compré una regalo bonita.”

Correction: Compré un regalo bonito. Because 'regalo' is masculine, any word that describes it (like 'bonito' for 'pretty') also needs to be in its masculine form.

talento

tah-LEHN-tohtaˈlento

NounA1General
Use 'talento' to describe an innate ability or skill that someone possesses, often in a creative or intellectual field.
A storybook illustration of a young child standing confidently at an easel, effortlessly painting a perfect, vibrant landscape.

Examples

Mi hermana tiene un gran talento para dibujar retratos.

My sister has great talent for drawing portraits.

Necesitas más práctica que talento para dominar este deporte.

You need more practice than talent to master this sport.

Descubrieron su talento cuando solo tenía cinco años.

They discovered his talent when he was only five years old.

Gender Check

Even though it ends in 'o', 'talento' is a masculine noun and always uses 'el' or 'un'. (e.g., El talento, un talento).

Using the Wrong Preposition

Mistake: “Tiene talento a la música.”

Correction: Tiene talento para la música. (Use 'para' when talking about the area where the talent exists.)

presente

preh-SEN-tehpɾeˈsente

NounA2General
Use 'presente' for a physical item offered as a gift, often implying a slightly more formal or token gesture than 'regalo'.
A large, square gift box wrapped in shiny red paper and tied with a large gold ribbon bow.

Examples

Le trajimos un pequeño presente de agradecimiento.

We brought him a small token of gratitude.

El presente vino envuelto en un papel brillante.

The present came wrapped in shiny paper.

donación

NounA2Formal
Use 'donación' for the formal act of giving money or property to an organization or cause.

Examples

Hice una donación de ropa usada al refugio.

I made a donation of used clothes to the shelter.

don

dondon

NounB1General
Use 'don' to refer to a special natural talent or inherent ability.
A person playing a violin with ease, surrounded by floating, glowing musical notes, symbolizing a natural gift or talent.

Examples

Tiene un don para la música.

He has a gift for music.

Ella posee el don de gentes.

She has a real way with people (literally, the gift of people).

Cocinar bien es un don que no todos tenemos.

Cooking well is a gift that not all of us have.

'El don' vs. 'Un don'

Use 'el don' for a specific, known gift ('el don de la palabra' - the gift of gab). Use 'un don' when talking more generally about having a gift ('es un don' - it's a gift).

facilidad

fah-see-lee-dahdfasi.liˈðað

NounB1General
Use 'facilidad' to describe how easily someone can do something, highlighting an innate knack or aptitude for a specific task or skill.
A young child effortlessly painting a beautiful, colorful butterfly on a canvas.

Examples

Juan tiene facilidad para los idiomas.

Juan has a knack for languages.

Tiene mucha facilidad de palabra.

He is very well-spoken / has a gift for words.

obsequio

ob-SEH-kyohobˈsekjo

NounB1Formal
Use 'obsequio' for a formal present or offering, often given as a sign of respect, courtesy, or gratitude in professional or ceremonial contexts.
A beautiful gift box wrapped in bright blue paper with a large, shiny yellow ribbon on top.

Examples

Por favor, acepte este pequeño obsequio como muestra de nuestra gratitud.

Please accept this small gift as a token of our gratitude.

Con la compra de su perfume, recibirá un obsequio sorpresa.

With the purchase of your perfume, you will receive a surprise gift.

El embajador entregó un obsequio al presidente durante la ceremonia.

The ambassador handed a gift to the president during the ceremony.

Masculine Word Pattern

Since it ends in -o, it is almost always masculine. Use 'el' or 'un' with it.

Level of Formality

While 'regalo' is the everyday word for gift, 'obsequio' sounds more elegant and professional.

Obsequio vs. Talento

Mistake: “Él tiene un obsequio para la música.”

Correction: Él tiene un 'don' o 'talento' para la música. In Spanish, 'obsequio' is a physical object you give, not a natural ability.

dote

doh-tehˈdote

NounB2General
Use 'dote' to refer to an innate quality or talent, similar to 'don' but often implying a more inherent or ingrained characteristic.
A child sitting at a piano, playing with focus and ease.

Examples

Ella tiene grandes dotes para la música.

She has great talent for music.

Sus dotes de mando impresionaron a todo el equipo.

His leadership skills impressed the whole team.

Para ser un buen comercial, hay que tener dotes de gentes.

To be a good salesman, you need to have people skills.

Always Feminine

Even though it ends in 'e', which can be tricky, this word is always feminine (la dote / las dotes).

Usually Plural for Talents

When talking about someone's natural abilities, we almost always use the plural form: 'las dotes'.

The 'El' Trap

Mistake: “El dote de gentes.”

Correction: Las dotes de gentes. (Remember, talents are feminine and usually plural!)

Talent vs. Present

The most common confusion is between words for 'talent' (like 'talento', 'don', 'facilidad', 'dote') and words for a physical 'gift' or 'present' ('regalo', 'presente', 'obsequio'). Always check if you are talking about an item someone receives or an innate ability someone possesses.

Related Translations

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