Inklingo

How to Say "skinny" in Spanish

English → Spanish

delgado

del-GAH-doh/delˈɣaðo/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'delgado' to describe someone as thin, slender, or slim, without a strong negative implication of being underweight. It's a general, neutral term.
A very slender, long-legged cat standing elegantly on a green field.

Examples

Mi hermano es muy alto y delgado.

My brother is very tall and thin.

Después de la enfermedad, el perro se veía muy delgado.

After the illness, the dog looked very thin.

Ella prefiere usar ropa que la haga ver más delgada.

She prefers to wear clothes that make her look slimmer.

Gender and Number Agreement

Since 'delgado' is a descriptive word (adjective), its ending must match the person or thing it describes: 'el chico delgado' (masculine singular), 'la chica delgada' (feminine singular), 'los chicos delgados' (masculine plural).

Mixing up Delgadez and Flacura

Mistake: “Using 'flaco' in a formal context when you mean 'slim' or 'slender'.”

Correction: 'Delgado' is generally the safer and more neutral choice. 'Flaco' often implies being unhealthily or overly skinny.

flaco

adjectiveB2general
Use 'flaco' when you want to emphasize that someone is very thin, often implying they are underweight or bony. It can sometimes have a slightly negative or informal feel, but is also used neutrally in some contexts.

Examples

¡Qué alto y flaco está tu hijo! Parece un fideo.

Your son is so tall and thin! He looks like a stringbean.

Delgado vs. Flaco

Learners often confuse 'delgado' and 'flaco'. Remember that 'delgado' is a more neutral term for 'thin', while 'flaco' can imply being *too* thin or bony, though it's also used in informal comparisons like 'stringbean'.

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