Inklingo

How to Say "sharp" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “sharp” is “vivo” — use 'vivo' to describe someone who is mentally quick, intelligent, and often lively or alert..

vivo🔊B1

Use 'vivo' to describe someone who is mentally quick, intelligent, and often lively or alert.

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despierto🔊B1

Use 'despierto' to describe someone who is intelligent and shrewd, especially in a business or practical context.

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ingenioso🔊B1

Use 'ingenioso' when referring to someone who thinks quickly and creatively, often in a witty or clever way.

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lista🔊A2

Use 'lista' to describe someone who is mentally quick and intelligent, similar to 'despierto' but often more general.

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fina🔊B2

Use 'fina' to describe senses or skills that are precise, acute, or highly developed.

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acusado🔊B2

Use 'acusado' to describe features, like a nose or an accent, that are pronounced, distinct, or noticeable.

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feroz🔊B2

Use 'feroz' to describe competition, prices, or criticism that is intense, severe, or fierce.

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sutil🔊C1

Use 'sutil' to describe someone who is perceptive and quick to notice fine details or nuances.

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ácidoA1

Use 'ácido' to describe a taste that is sour or a tone that is cutting or biting.

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picante🔊B1

Use 'picante' for witty or critical remarks, jokes, or situations that are edgy or risqué.

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English → Spanish

vivo

/bee-boh//'bibo/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'vivo' to describe someone who is mentally quick, intelligent, and often lively or alert.
A cheerful child quickly and energetically completing a colorful wooden block puzzle, showing quick understanding.

Examples

Es una niña muy viva, siempre está haciendo preguntas.

She's a very sharp/lively girl, she's always asking questions.

Tienes que ser muy vivo para tener éxito en este negocio.

You have to be very clever to succeed in this business.

Use with 'Ser'

When describing personality traits like being sharp or clever, you use the verb 'ser' (e.g., 'Ella es muy viva'). This is because you're talking about a more permanent characteristic.

despierto

des-PYEHR-toh/desˈpjeɾto/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'despierto' to describe someone who is intelligent and shrewd, especially in a business or practical context.
A smiling child quickly placing the final piece into a colorful wooden block puzzle, demonstrating cleverness and mental quickness.

Examples

Es un hombre de negocios muy despierto.

He is a very sharp businessman.

La niña es muy despierta y aprende rápido.

The girl is very clever and learns quickly.

Figurative Sense

In this meaning, 'despierto' describes a lasting quality, so it often pairs with 'ser' (to be permanent) to talk about someone's character: 'Es despierto' (He is clever).

ingenioso

/een-hen-YOH-soh//ĩnxeˈnjoso/

adjectiveB1General
Use 'ingenioso' when referring to someone who thinks quickly and creatively, often in a witty or clever way.
A friendly fox with a clever smile telling a joke to a group of laughing forest animals.

Examples

Su discurso fue muy ingenioso y todos se rieron.

His speech was very witty and everyone laughed.

Es un niño ingenioso que siempre tiene una respuesta para todo.

He is a clever boy who always has an answer for everything.

Gender Agreement

Remember that this word must match the person or thing you are describing. Use 'ingenioso' for masculine words and 'ingeniosa' for feminine words.

Ingenioso vs. Genial

Mistake: “Using 'ingenioso' to mean 'great' or 'awesome'.”

Correction: Use 'genial' for 'great'. Use 'ingenioso' specifically for someone who is 'clever' or 'funny' in a smart way.

lista

/lees-tah//'lista/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'lista' to describe someone who is mentally quick and intelligent, similar to 'despierto' but often more general.
A young girl wearing a backpack and hiking boots, standing confidently at the start of a trail, indicating she is ready.

Examples

La comida está lista. ¡A comer!

The food is ready. Let's eat!

¿Estás lista para el examen de mañana?

Are you ready for tomorrow's exam?

Mi abuela es muy lista, siempre me da buenos consejos.

My grandmother is very clever, she always gives me good advice.

Key Difference: 'Ser lista' vs. 'Estar lista'

This is a super important difference! Use 'estar' for a temporary state (ready) and 'ser' for a personality trait (clever). 'Ella está lista' = She is ready. 'Ella es lista' = She is clever.

Matching the Noun

As an adjective, 'lista' describes feminine things or people. For masculine ones, you change the ending to -o: 'listo'. For example, 'Mi hermano está listo' (My brother is ready).

Mixing up 'Ser' and 'Estar'

Mistake: “If you say 'Soy lista para salir,' it sounds like 'I am a clever person in order to go out.'”

Correction: Say 'Estoy lista para salir' (I am ready to go out). Remember: 'estar' for the temporary state of being ready.

fina

/fee-nah//ˈfina/

adjectiveB2General
Use 'fina' to describe senses or skills that are precise, acute, or highly developed.
A fox with large ears alertly listening in a forest.

Examples

Tienes una puntería muy fina con el arco.

You have a very sharp aim with the bow.

Su audición es tan fina que oye hasta el más mínimo ruido.

Her hearing is so keen that she hears even the smallest noise.

acusado

ah-koo-SAH-doh/akuˈsaðo/

AdjectiveB2General
Use 'acusado' to describe features, like a nose or an accent, that are pronounced, distinct, or noticeable.
A lone person standing against a dark background, harshly illuminated by a focused overhead spotlight, symbolizing being singled out or accused.

Examples

Tenía un acento muy acusado, típico de su región.

He had a very pronounced accent, typical of his region.

La paciente presentaba un dolor acusado en el pecho.

The patient presented a marked pain in the chest.

La persona acusada fue liberada por falta de pruebas.

The accused person was released due to lack of evidence.

Agreement is Key

As an adjective, 'acusado' must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes: 'rasgos acusados' (masculine plural features), 'diferencia acusada' (feminine singular difference).

feroz

/feh-ROHS//feˈɾos/

adjectiveB2General
Use 'feroz' to describe competition, prices, or criticism that is intense, severe, or fierce.
A powerful storm with dark clouds and bright lightning striking the ground.

Examples

Hay una competencia feroz entre las dos empresas.

There is fierce competition between the two companies.

Sentí un dolor feroz en la espalda.

I felt an intense pain in my back.

sutil

/soo-TEEL//suˈtil/

adjectiveC1General
Use 'sutil' to describe someone who is perceptive and quick to notice fine details or nuances.
A small fox with bright, intelligent eyes looking curiously at a complex puzzle made of wooden blocks.

Examples

Es un observador sutil de la realidad política.

He is a keen observer of political reality.

Su análisis sutil reveló problemas que nadie más vio.

His sharp analysis revealed problems that no one else saw.

Plural Form

To talk about more than one thing, add -es to the end: 'sutiles'.

ácido

adjectiveA1General
Use 'ácido' to describe a taste that is sour or a tone that is cutting or biting.

Examples

El limón es demasiado ácido para comerlo solo.

The lemon is too sour to eat by itself.

picante

pee-KAHN-teh/piˈkante/

adjectiveB1Informal
Use 'picante' for witty or critical remarks, jokes, or situations that are edgy or risqué.
A cartoon character winking broadly with a mischievous expression, holding a finger up to their lips in a 'shush' gesture.

Examples

El comediante contó un chiste muy picante sobre política.

The comedian told a very racy joke about politics.

Su comentario fue un poco picante y ofendió a algunos invitados.

His comment was a little sharp/suggestive and offended some guests.

Figurative Meaning

Think of this meaning as describing something that 'stings' or 'spices up' a conversation, making it thrilling or slightly inappropriate.

Intelligence vs. Physical Features

Learners often confuse 'vivo'/'despierto'/'ingenioso' (intelligent, quick-witted) with 'acusado' (pronounced features) or 'fina' (precise skills). Remember that 'vivo' and 'despierto' refer to mental sharpness, while 'acusado' describes physical traits like a sharp nose or accent.

Related Translations

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