Inklingo

How to Say "suit" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “suit” is “traje” — use 'traje' when referring to a matching set of clothing, typically a jacket and trousers or a skirt..

traje🔊A2

Use 'traje' when referring to a matching set of clothing, typically a jacket and trousers or a skirt.

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conjunto🔊A2

Use 'conjunto' for an outfit or a set of clothing, especially sportswear or a coordinated ensemble.

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palo🔊B1

Use 'palo' specifically when talking about the suit in a deck of playing cards (e.g., hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades).

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quedan🔊B1

Use 'quedan' (from 'quedar') when discussing if clothing matches or fits well stylistically, often in the plural.

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quedara🔊B2

Use 'quedara' (imperfect subjunctive of 'quedar') when talking about whether an item of clothing would fit or match well in a hypothetical or past context.

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demanda🔊B2

Use 'demanda' when referring to a legal action or lawsuit filed in court.

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English → Spanish

traje

/TRA-hey//'tɾaxe/

nounA2general
Use 'traje' when referring to a matching set of clothing, typically a jacket and trousers or a skirt.
A neatly tailored dark blue formal suit, consisting of a jacket and matching trousers, displayed hanging on a wooden hanger.

Examples

Compré un traje nuevo para la entrevista.

I bought a new suit for the interview.

No olvides tu traje de baño para ir a la piscina.

Don't forget your swimsuit to go to the pool.

El traje regional de Andalucía es muy colorido.

The regional costume of Andalusia is very colorful.

It's a Masculine Noun

Even though clothing can be for anyone, the word 'traje' is always masculine. So, you'll always say 'el traje' (the suit) or 'un traje bonito' (a nice suit).

conjunto

/kon-HOON-toh//konˈxunto/

nounA2general
Use 'conjunto' for an outfit or a set of clothing, especially sportswear or a coordinated ensemble.
A neatly folded blue T-shirt and matching blue shorts displayed together, illustrating an outfit.

Examples

Compró un conjunto deportivo nuevo para el gimnasio.

He bought a new athletic outfit for the gym.

Llevaba un conjunto de chaqueta y falda muy elegante.

She was wearing a very elegant jacket and skirt ensemble.

Focus on Matching

When used for clothes, 'conjunto' usually implies the pieces (like a top and bottom) were bought together or are intentionally matching.

palo

PAH-loh/ˈpa.lo/

nounB1card games
Use 'palo' specifically when talking about the suit in a deck of playing cards (e.g., hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades).
A large, simple black club symbol, representing a suit in a deck of cards, centered on a vibrant background.

Examples

Tengo todas las cartas del mismo palo, ¡voy a ganar!

I have all the cards of the same suit, I'm going to win!

Cambia el palo si no tienes el que sigue.

Change the suit if you don't have the next one.

Deck Confusion

Mistake: “Using 'palo' when you mean 'deck' (baraja) or 'card' (carta).”

Correction: 'Palo' only refers to the category (e.g., hearts or diamonds), not the whole set of cards.

quedan

KAY-dahn/ˈkeðan/

verbB1general
Use 'quedan' (from 'quedar') when discussing if clothing matches or fits well stylistically, often in the plural.
A child's feet wearing a pair of blue shoes that are the correct size, demonstrating a perfect fit.

Examples

Las botas no les quedan bien, son muy estrechas.

The boots don't fit them well, they are too tight.

Estos colores siempre quedan fantásticos con tu tono de piel.

These colors always look fantastic with your skin tone.

Los nuevos uniformes les quedan un poco grandes.

The new uniforms are a little big on them.

Indirect Object Required

When talking about fitting/looking, you must include a pronoun (me, te, le, nos, os, les) to say who the item looks good/bad on. The item itself is the subject that 'quedan' must agree with.

Subject-Verb Agreement

Mistake: “Saying 'Las botas les queda bien' (singular verb for plural subject).”

Correction: Always make sure 'quedan' agrees with the clothes/item (plural) and not the person (indirect object pronoun). Correct: 'Las botas les quedan bien.'

quedara

/keh-DAH-rah//keˈðaɾa/

verbB2general
Use 'quedara' (imperfect subjunctive of 'quedar') when talking about whether an item of clothing would fit or match well in a hypothetical or past context.
A person happily trying on a bright blue shirt that fits them perfectly, giving a satisfied thumbs-up gesture.

Examples

No estaba seguro de que la camisa le quedara bien.

I wasn't sure that the shirt would fit him well.

Si el color quedara muy oscuro, podemos cambiarlo.

If the color looked too dark, we could change it.

Era necesario que el corte de pelo quedara moderno.

It was necessary that the haircut looked modern.

Using 'quedar' like 'gustar'

When talking about fitting or suitability, 'quedar' often works like 'gustar' (to like), where the subject is the item, and the person is the indirect object: 'La falda me queda bien' (The skirt fits me well).

demanda

/deh-MAHN-dah//deˈmanda/

nounB2legal
Use 'demanda' when referring to a legal action or lawsuit filed in court.
A figure wearing a simple black robe sits behind a large wooden desk, observing two figures standing opposite each other. One figure is holding a rolled-up legal document, symbolizing a lawsuit.

Examples

El abogado presentó la demanda ayer por la mañana.

The lawyer filed the lawsuit yesterday morning.

Ganaron la demanda después de un largo juicio.

They won the lawsuit after a long trial.

Recibimos una demanda por incumplimiento de contrato.

We received a legal claim for breach of contract.

Key Verbs

When talking about starting a lawsuit, the most common verbs are 'presentar' (to file) or 'poner' (to put/file). For winning, use 'ganar' (to win).

Clothing vs. Legal vs. Cards

The most frequent confusion is using 'traje' or 'conjunto' for anything other than clothing. Remember that 'demanda' is strictly for legal cases and 'palo' is only for card games. 'Quedar' and its forms relate to fit and style, not the items themselves.

Related Translations

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