Inklingo

How to Say "gift" in Spanish

English → Spanish

regalo

/rreh-GAH-loh//reˈɣa.lo/

NounA1General
Use 'regalo' for a physical item given to someone, like a birthday present or a souvenir.
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.

don

/don//don/

NounB1General
Use 'don' to refer to a special natural talent or ability, often in an artistic or intellectual field.
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).

presente

preh-SEN-teh/pɾeˈsente/

NounA2General
Use 'presente' similarly to 'regalo' for a physical offering, often implying a token of appreciation or gratitude.
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.

facilidad

/fah-see-lee-dahd//fasi.liˈðað/

NounB1General
Use 'facilidad' to describe someone's natural ease or knack for learning or doing something.
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.

donación

NounA2Formal
Use 'donación' for the formal act of giving money, property, or goods, typically to an organization or charity.

Examples

Hice una donación de ropa usada al refugio.

I made a donation of used clothes to the shelter.

'Regalo' vs. 'Don' vs. 'Facilidad'

Learners often confuse 'regalo' (a physical item) with 'don' or 'facilidad' (both referring to an innate ability). Remember that 'don' and 'facilidad' describe talents, not objects you can wrap and give.

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