Inklingo

How to Say "thankfulness" in Spanish

English → Spanish

agradecimiento

ah-grah-deh-see-MYEN-toh/aɣɾaðesiˈmjento/

nounB1
Use 'agradecimiento' when you want to actively express your thanks or acknowledge a specific act of kindness.
A joyful child holds a large red heart in their hands, surrounded by a faint, warm yellow glow, symbolizing the internal feeling of gratitude.

Examples

Quiero expresarte mi más sincero agradecimiento por tu ayuda.

I want to express my most sincere gratitude for your help.

Su gesto de agradecimiento fue muy emotivo.

His gesture of thanks (or appreciation) was very moving.

El agradecimiento es una de las emociones más positivas.

Thankfulness is one of the most positive emotions.

Using the preposition 'por'

When you mention the reason for the gratitude, always use 'por' (for): 'Agradecimiento por el regalo' (Gratitude for the gift).

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: “Using 'agradecimiento' when you should use the verb 'agradecer'. E.g., 'Yo agradecimiento tu ayuda.'”

Correction: Use the correct verb form: 'Yo agradezco tu ayuda.' ('Agradecimiento' is the feeling itself, not the action of thanking.)

gratitud

/grah-tee-TOOD//ɡratiˈtuð/

nounB1
Use 'gratitud' to refer to the general feeling or state of being grateful, often in a more formal or profound context.
A simple storybook illustration showing one small character offering a bright yellow flower to another character, who is receiving the gift with a warm, grateful smile.

Examples

Quiero expresar mi profunda gratitud por su ayuda.

I want to express my deep gratitude for your help.

La gratitud es un sentimiento que nos hace mejores personas.

Gratitude is a feeling that makes us better people.

Lo hizo como una muestra de gratitud.

He did it as a sign of thankfulness.

Gender Rule

Like many Spanish words that end in -tud (e.g., actitud, juventud), 'gratitud' is always a feminine noun. You must use feminine words like 'la' or 'mucha' before it: 'la gratitud' (the gratitude).

Using the Adjective

Mistake: “A common error is confusing the noun 'gratitud' with the related adjective 'agradecido/a' (grateful).”

Correction: Use 'gratitud' when talking about the feeling itself (e.g., 'Siento gratitud'). Use 'agradecido' when describing a person (e.g., 'Estoy agradecida' – I am grateful).

Agradecimiento vs. Gratitud

Learners often confuse 'agradecimiento' and 'gratitud' because both mean gratitude. Remember that 'agradecimiento' is more about the *act* of thanking, while 'gratitud' is more about the *feeling* of being thankful.

Related Translations

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