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How to Say "softly" in Spanish

English → Spanish

suavemente

swah-veh-MEN-tehswaβeˈmente

adverbA2general
Use this when referring to performing an action gently or with a lack of abruptness, often to avoid making noise or causing disturbance.
A mother whispering gently to her sleeping baby with a finger to her lips.

Examples

Ella cerró la puerta suavemente para no despertar al bebé.

She closed the door softly so as not to wake the baby.

El viento soplaba suavemente entre los árboles.

The wind was blowing gently through the trees.

Aplica la crema suavemente sobre la piel.

Apply the cream gently on the skin.

The '-mente' Suffix

In Spanish, adding '-mente' to the end of a feminine adjective is just like adding '-ly' in English. It turns a description word into a word that explains how an action is done.

Adjective vs. Adverb

Mistake: “Using 'Ella habla suave.'”

Correction: Say 'Ella habla suavemente.' While people sometimes use the short version in slang, 'suavemente' is the correct way to describe the action of speaking.

bajito

ba-HEE-tohbaˈxito

adverbA2general
This is used specifically to describe speaking or making noise at a low volume, like whispering or speaking quietly.
A person whispering into another person's ear with their hand cupped.

Examples

Por favor, habla más bajito, el bebé duerme.

Please, speak more quietly, the baby is sleeping.

Pon la televisión bajito.

Turn the TV down low.

Me susurró algo bajito al oído.

She whispered something softly in my ear.

Adjectives as Adverbs

In Spanish, words like 'bajito' can describe how you do an action (like speaking) without needing to change into a longer 'ly' word like 'quietly'.

Silent vs. Quiet

Mistake: “Using 'silencioso' to tell someone to lower their voice.”

Correction: Say 'habla bajito'. 'Silencioso' means someone who doesn't talk much in general, while 'bajito' refers to the volume right now.

despacio

dess-PAH-syohdesˈpaθjo

adverbA1general
Use this when referring to speaking or moving at a slow pace, the opposite of quickly.
A small garden snail slowly gliding across the surface of a bright green leaf, leaving a visible trail.

Examples

Por favor, habla despacio. No te entiendo si hablas rápido.

Please, speak slowly. I don't understand you if you speak fast.

Tienes que ir despacio en esta zona porque hay niños jugando.

You have to go slowly in this area because there are children playing.

Ella abrió la puerta muy despacio para no despertar a nadie.

She opened the door very softly/gently so as not to wake anyone up.

Adverb Usage

Since 'despacio' is an adverb, it always stays the same (invariable). It modifies verbs, telling you how an action is performed: 'Correr despacio' (To run slowly).

Using the Adjective Form

Mistake: “Hablo lento. (I speak slow.)”

Correction: Hablo despacio. 'Despacio' is the word you need to describe the speed of the action, not the adjective 'lento' (slow).

piano

pee-AH-nohˈpja.no

adverbB2musical
This is a technical term used in music to indicate that a passage should be played very softly.
A small, delicate, pale blue sound wave floating gently across a quiet, muted background, symbolizing soft volume.

Examples

El violín debe entrar piano en el compás dieciséis.

The violin must enter softly (quietly) at measure sixteen.

La partitura indica que esa sección se toca 'piano, piano', es decir, muy suave.

The score indicates that that section is played 'piano, piano,' meaning very softly.

Dynamic Markings

In music, 'piano' means 'soft.' It comes from the full name of the instrument: the 'pianoforte,' which means 'soft-loud,' referring to the instrument's ability to play both.

Confusing volume vs. gentleness

Learners often confuse 'suavemente' (gently) with 'bajito' (low volume). Remember, 'suavemente' describes the manner of an action, while 'bajito' specifically refers to the loudness of sound.

Related Translations

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