Inklingo

How to Say "pleasure" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “pleasure” is “gusto” — use this for a general feeling of enjoyment or delight, especially in common polite phrases like 'Nice to meet you'.

gusto🔊A1

Use this for a general feeling of enjoyment or delight, especially in common polite phrases like 'Nice to meet you'.

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placer🔊A2

This is a direct translation for the feeling of enjoyment or satisfaction, often used in expressions like 'It's a pleasure to...'.

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delicia🔊A2

Use this when something provides great enjoyment or is particularly delightful, often for food or experiences.

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honor🔊A2

This implies a feeling of gratification or pride, often used when you feel esteemed or respected by being in a certain situation.

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agrado🔊B1

This refers to the feeling of satisfaction or contentment, often used in more formal contexts to express liking or approval.

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disfrute🔊B1

Use this to emphasize the act or feeling of thoroughly enjoying something, like a vacation or an activity.

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encanto🔊B1

This is best used when describing the delight or charm experienced, particularly when meeting someone for the first time.

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privilegio🔊B2

This word signifies a special advantage or opportunity that brings great satisfaction, often implying a sense of exclusivity.

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English → Spanish

gusto

goos-toh'gus.to

nounA1General
Use this for a general feeling of enjoyment or delight, especially in common polite phrases like 'Nice to meet you'.
A cartoon figure smiling broadly and raising their arms in a gesture of pure joy and delight, standing on a sunny hill.

Examples

Mucho gusto en conocerte.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

Lo hice con mucho gusto.

I did it with great pleasure.

¿Te ayudo con las bolsas? — ¡Claro, con gusto!

Should I help you with the bags? — Of course, with pleasure!

placer

plah-SEHRplaˈseɾ

nounA2General
This is a direct translation for the feeling of enjoyment or satisfaction, often used in expressions like 'It's a pleasure to...'.
A happy child sitting on a patch of green grass under bright sunshine, smiling widely with closed eyes while holding a single brightly colored flower, symbolizing simple enjoyment.

Examples

Es un placer conocerte.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

Leer un buen libro me da mucho placer.

Reading a good book gives me a lot of pleasure.

El verdadero placer está en las pequeñas cosas.

The real pleasure is in the little things.

Always Masculine

'Placer' is a masculine noun, so you always use 'el' or 'un' with it. For example, 'el placer de viajar' (the pleasure of traveling).

delicia

deh-LEE-syahdeˈlisja

nounA2General
Use this when something provides great enjoyment or is particularly delightful, often for food or experiences.
A child smiling with pure joy while eating a large, colorful ice cream sundae.

Examples

Este pastel es una delicia.

This cake is a delight.

Fue una delicia escucharte tocar el piano.

It was a pleasure to hear you play the piano.

Viajar por Italia es una delicia para los sentidos.

Traveling through Italy is a delight for the senses.

It's a Noun, Not an Adjective

Remember that 'delicia' is a naming word (noun). If you want to describe something, use 'delicioso' (tasty/delicious). You can't say 'comida delicia,' say 'esta comida es una delicia' (this food is a delight).

Always Feminine

This word always uses feminine markers like 'la' or 'una', regardless of whether you are talking about a man's performance or a neutral event.

Confusing 'Delicia' with 'Delicioso'

Mistake: “La cena fue delicia.”

Correction: La cena fue una delicia (The dinner was a delight) or La cena estuvo deliciosa (The dinner was delicious). Use the noun version with 'una'.

honor

oh-NORoˈnoɾ

nounA2Formal/General
This implies a feeling of gratification or pride, often used when you feel esteemed or respected by being in a certain situation.
A smiling character on a small stage receiving a golden, ornate scroll under a bright spotlight, symbolizing a special privilege or honor.

Examples

Es un honor estar aquí con ustedes.

It's an honor to be here with you.

El honor es todo mío.

The honor is all mine.

Tengo el honor de presentarles a nuestro próximo orador.

I have the honor of presenting our next speaker.

agrado

ah-GRAH-dohaˈɣɾaðo

nounB1Formal
This refers to the feeling of satisfaction or contentment, often used in more formal contexts to express liking or approval.
A child smiling widely while eating a bright red apple.

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.

disfrute

dis-FROO-tehdisˈfɾute

nounB1General
Use this to emphasize the act or feeling of thoroughly enjoying something, like a vacation or an activity.
A peaceful illustration of a person sitting in a sunny green meadow, eyes closed, smiling contentedly to show enjoyment.

Examples

El disfrute de las vacaciones es mi prioridad este año.

The enjoyment of the holidays is my priority this year.

El parque ofrece un espacio de disfrute para todos los vecinos.

The park offers a space of enjoyment for all the neighbors.

El disfrute de los beneficios laborales comienza el primer día.

The benefit (or use) of the employment perks starts on the first day.

Masculine Noun

Even though it ends in '-e', 'disfrute' is a masculine noun, so you must use 'el' or 'un' with it.

encanto

en-KAHN-tohenˈkanto

nounB1General
This is best used when describing the delight or charm experienced, particularly when meeting someone for the first time.
A small, happy child sitting in a field, looking up with a wide smile and outstretched hands, experiencing pure delight.

Examples

Fue un encanto conocer a tu familia.

It was a delight (or pleasure) to meet your family.

Mi jefe es un encanto, siempre nos trae café.

My boss is a delight (or a lovely person), he always brings us coffee.

¡Qué encanto de regalo!

What a lovely gift!

Using 'Ser' with 'Encanto'

When you use 'ser' (to be) with 'encanto' to describe a person ('Eres un encanto'), you are giving a fixed, positive compliment. Even if the person is female, the noun 'encanto' remains masculine.

privilegio

pree-bee-LEH-heeohpɾi.βiˈle.xjo

nounB2Formal
This word signifies a special advantage or opportunity that brings great satisfaction, often implying a sense of exclusivity.
A joyful cartoon character proudly wearing a large, golden laurel wreath on their head, symbolizing honor and distinction.

Examples

Fue un privilegio asistir a la ceremonia de graduación de mi hija.

It was an honor/a privilege to attend my daughter's graduation ceremony.

Tuve el privilegio de trabajar junto a la famosa chef durante un mes.

I had the honor of working alongside the famous chef for a month.

Using 'De'

When using 'privilegio' to mean 'honor' and following it with an action, you almost always need the preposition 'de' (of): 'Tengo el privilegio de ayudarte' (I have the honor of helping you).

Gustó vs. Placer in Greetings

Learners often confuse 'gusto' and 'placer' in greetings. While both can mean 'pleasure to meet you', 'Mucho gusto' is the more common and idiomatic phrase for initial introductions. 'Es un placer' is also correct but can sometimes sound slightly more formal or emphatic.

Related Translations

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