How to Say "kindness" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “kindness” is “amabilidad” — use this word for the general quality of being friendly, pleasant, and considerate in your interactions with others.
amabilidad
ah-mah-bee-lee-DAHDamaβiliˈðað
Examples
Le agradezco mucho su amabilidad.
I really appreciate your kindness.
Ella siempre nos recibe con mucha amabilidad.
She always welcomes us with great friendliness.
¿Podría tener la amabilidad de abrir la puerta?
Could you have the kindness (be so kind as) to open the door?
The '-dad' Ending
In Spanish, words that end in '-dad' (like amabilidad, felicidad, or ciudad) are almost always feminine. This means you should use 'la' or 'una' with them.
Using 'el' instead of 'la'
Mistake: “el amabilidad”
Correction: la amabilidad (because words ending in -dad are feminine).
bondad
bohn-DAHDbonˈdad
Examples
La bondad de la abuela es infinita.
Grandma's kindness is infinite.
Siempre me impresionó su bondad hacia los más necesitados.
I was always impressed by her goodness toward those most in need.
Un pequeño acto de bondad puede cambiar el día de alguien.
A small act of kindness can change someone's day.
Feminine Noun Rule
'Bondad' is a feminine noun, just like almost all Spanish words ending in -dad (e.g., ciudad, verdad). Always use 'la' or 'una' before it.
Confusing Gender
Mistake: “El bondad es importante.”
Correction: La bondad es importante. Remember the -dad ending usually signals a feminine word.
generosidad
heh-neh-roh-see-DAHDxe.ne.ɾo.siˈðad
Examples
Su generosidad ayudó a muchas personas sin hogar.
Their generosity helped many homeless people.
Te agradezco mucho tu generosidad con tu tiempo.
I really appreciate your generosity with your time.
La generosidad es una virtud muy importante.
Generosity is a very important virtue.
The '-dad' Rule
Words that end in '-dad' in Spanish are almost always feminine. This means you should use 'la' or 'una' with this word (e.g., la generosidad).
The Silent 'D'
Mistake: “Pronouncing the final 'd' as a hard 'D' like in 'dad'.”
Correction: In Spanish, a 'd' at the end of a word is very soft, almost like the 'th' in the English word 'this' or 'breathe'.
favor
fa-VORfaˈβoɾ
Examples
¿Me puedes hacer un favor?
Can you do me a favor?
Por favor, cierra la puerta.
Please, close the door.
Le debo muchos favores a mi vecina.
I owe my neighbor a lot of favors.
The Magic of 'Por Favor'
Always use 'por favor' when asking for something. It's the Spanish equivalent of 'please' and is essential for being polite. You can put it at the beginning or end of a sentence.
Asking for Favors
Mistake: “Using 'preguntar un favor'.”
Correction: Always say 'pedir un favor'. Think of it this way: 'pedir' is for asking *for* things (like a favor or food), while 'preguntar' is for asking *for* information (a question).
hospitalidad
os-pee-tah-lee-DAHDospitaliˈðað
Examples
Gracias por su hospitalidad.
Thank you for your hospitality.
México es un país conocido por su gran hospitalidad.
Mexico is a country known for its great hospitality.
Brindaron hospitalidad a los viajeros que se perdieron en la tormenta.
They offered hospitality to the travelers who got lost in the storm.
Always Feminine
Spanish words ending in '-dad' (like 'hospitalidad') are almost always feminine. You should use 'la' or 'una' with this word.
Abstract Concept
Just like in English, this is an 'uncountable' noun. You usually talk about 'much' (mucha) hospitality, not 'many' hospitalities.
Avoid 'The' sometimes
Mistake: “Me gusta la hospitalidad de ellos.”
Correction: Me gusta su hospitalidad.
agrado
ah-GRAH-dohaˈɣɾaðo
Examples
Espero que la cena sea de su agrado.
I hope the dinner is to your liking.
Aceptó nuestra invitación con mucho agrado.
He accepted our invitation with great pleasure.
Ese tipo de música no es de mi agrado.
That type of music is not to my taste.
Using 'Agrado' to be Polite
Using 'ser de mi agrado' is a more elegant and formal way to say 'me gusta' (I like).
Possessive Words with Agrado
You usually put a possessive word (like mi, tu, su) before it when saying something is 'to your liking': 'su agrado'.
Agrado vs. Agradable
Mistake: “La comida es de mucho agrado.”
Correction: La comida es muy agradable (adjective) OR La comida es de mi agrado (noun). Use 'agrado' as a thing/noun, and 'agradable' to describe something.
nobleza
no-BLEH-sahnoˈβleθa
Examples
Su nobleza de corazón es admirable.
The nobility of his heart is admirable.
Ella siempre actúa con mucha nobleza.
She always acts with a lot of kindness and honor.
La nobleza no se trata de dinero, sino de valores.
Nobility is not about money, but about values.
Always Feminine
Even if you are talking about a man's character, 'nobleza' stays feminine: 'La nobleza de Juan'.
Using 'de' for description
To describe what kind of nobility you mean, just add 'de' followed by the quality, like 'nobleza de corazón' (nobility of heart).
Confusing Character with Class
Mistake: “Using 'nobleza' only for kings and queens.”
Correction: In modern Spanish, it is very frequently used to mean someone is a 'good person' with high morals.
caridad
kah-ree-DAHDka.ɾiˈðað
Examples
Le ruego, por caridad, que me escuche un momento.
I beg you, for pity's sake (out of kindness), listen to me for a moment.
El juez mostró caridad al darle una sentencia leve.
The judge showed mercy by giving him a light sentence.
Amabilidad vs. Bondad
Related Translations
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