Inklingo

How to Say "gifted" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “gifted” is “dotado” — use 'dotado' to describe someone who possesses a natural, inherent talent or ability in a particular area.

English → Spanish

dotado

doh-TAH-dohdoˈtaðo

adjectiveB1general
Use 'dotado' to describe someone who possesses a natural, inherent talent or ability in a particular area.
A young child sitting at a piano, playing with focus and joy.

Examples

Ella es una artista muy dotada.

She is a very gifted artist.

Él es un músico muy dotado.

He is a very gifted musician.

Ella es una niña dotada para las matemáticas.

She is a gifted girl for mathematics.

Los alumnos dotados a veces necesitan clases especiales.

Gifted students sometimes need special classes.

Gender Matching

Even though this entry is for 'dotado', the word changes to 'dotada' when describing a female person or a feminine word.

Using 'Para'

When you want to say someone is gifted 'at' something, Spanish usually uses the word 'para' (for) before the skill.

Wrong Connecting Word

Mistake: “Él es dotado en música.”

Correction: Él es dotado para la música (or 'dotado en' is acceptable but 'para' is more natural for specific talents).

talentoso

tah-len-TOH-sotalenˈtoso

adjectiveA2general
Use 'talentoso' to describe someone who has a significant or exceptional talent, often implying skill developed through practice as well as natural ability.
A child playing a grand piano with focus and ease, surrounded by musical notes.

Examples

Mi hermano es un artista muy talentoso.

My brother is a very talented artist.

Buscamos a alguien talentoso para el equipo de diseño.

We are looking for someone talented for the design team.

A pesar de ser tan talentoso, siempre practica todos los días.

Despite being so talented, he always practices every day.

Matching the Person

Because this is an adjective, the ending changes to match who you are talking about. Use 'talentoso' for a man and 'talentosa' for a woman.

Using with 'Ser'

Always use the verb 'ser' (to be) with this word because talent is considered a permanent characteristic or quality of a person's identity.

The 'O' to 'A' Swap

Mistake: “Maria es muy talentoso.”

Correction: Maria es muy talentosa. (You must change the 'o' to 'a' when describing a female.)

Ser vs. Tener

Mistake: “Él tiene talentoso.”

Correction: Él es talentoso or Él tiene talento. (You 'are' talented, but you 'have' talent.)

privilegiado

pree-bee-leh-hee-AH-dohpɾiβileˈxjaðo

adjectiveB2general
Use 'privilegiado' when referring to a mind or talent that is exceptionally rare, superior, or fortunate, often implying an innate advantage.
A young child effortlessly playing a grand piano with a look of natural focus and joy.

Examples

Tiene una mente privilegiada para los idiomas.

She has a gifted mind for languages.

El cantante posee una voz privilegiada.

The singer possesses an exceptional voice.

Es un atleta con un físico privilegiado.

He is an athlete with an exceptional physique.

Word Order for Emphasis

Usually, this comes after the noun (una voz privilegiada). Putting it before the noun makes it sound more poetic or dramatic.

Don't confuse with 'talentoso'

Mistake: “Él es muy privilegiado.”

Correction: If you mean he has talent, say 'Tiene un talento privilegiado' or 'Es talentoso'. Calling someone just 'privilegiado' usually refers to their money or social status, not their skills.

verbA1general
This word is the past tense of 'regalar' (to give as a gift) and is used when someone handed something over for free, not to describe talent.

Examples

Mi hermano me regaló un reloj.

My brother gave me a watch as a gift.

Confusing Talent vs. Giving

The most common mistake is confusing the adjectives describing talent ('dotado', 'talentoso', 'privilegiado') with the verb 'regaló', which means 'gave as a gift'. Remember, 'regaló' is about the act of giving an object, not about someone's inherent abilities.

Related Translations

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