How to Say "to please" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to please” is “agradar” — use this when something is inherently attractive or satisfying to you, often implying a personal liking or appreciation..
agradar
/ah-grah-dahr//aɣɾaˈðar/
Examples
Me agrada mucho tu compañía.
I like your company very much (Your company pleases me).
No le agrada que fumen en la oficina.
It doesn't please him that people smoke in the office.
Sus palabras agradaron a todo el público.
His words pleased the entire audience.
The 'Gustar' Structure
This verb usually works 'backward' like 'gustar'. Instead of saying 'I please it', you say 'It pleases me' using words like 'me', 'te', 'le', 'nos', 'os', or 'les' before the verb.
Using 'que' with the Special Verb Form
If you say 'It pleases me that [someone does something]', the second verb must change its form (the subjunctive). For example: 'Me agrada que estés aquí' (It pleases me that you are here).
Using it like 'I like' in English
Mistake: “Yo agrado este libro.”
Correction: Me agrada este libro. In Spanish, the book does the pleasing to you.
complacer
/kom-plah-SEHR//komplaˈθeɾ/
Examples
Siempre intenta complacer a sus padres con buenas notas.
He always tries to please his parents with good grades.
Me complace anunciar que hemos terminado el proyecto.
I am pleased to announce that we have finished the project.
No puedes complacer a todo el mundo todo el tiempo.
You can't please everyone all the time.
The 'Yo' Form Trick
This verb adds a 'z' before the 'c' only in the 'yo' form (complazco). This happens to keep the pronunciation consistent with the rest of the forms.
Using the Special Verb Form (Subjunctive)
Because this verb can be used to describe wanting someone else to do something, it often triggers a special verb form: 'Espero que este regalo te complazca' (I hope this gift pleases you).
The Missing Z
Mistake: “Yo complaco a mi jefe.”
Correction: Yo complazco a mi jefe. (Remember to add the 'z' in the first-person present form!)
contentar
/kon-ten-TAR//kontenˈtaɾ/
Examples
Es imposible contentar a todo el mundo.
It is impossible to please everyone.
Le compré flores para contentarla después de nuestra discusión.
I bought her flowers to make her feel better after our argument.
Sus explicaciones no lograron contentar a los clientes.
His explanations failed to satisfy the clients.
Making Others Happy
When you use this word to talk about pleasing another person, remember to put the word 'a' before their name or the description of them (e.g., 'contentar a mi jefe').
A Word for Action
Use this word when you are actively doing something to change someone's mood from bad to good or from neutral to happy.
Don't confuse with 'contestar'
Mistake: “Quiero contentar tu pregunta.”
Correction: Quiero contestar tu pregunta.
placer
/plah-SEHR//plaˈseɾ/
Examples
Si le place, podemos comenzar la reunión.
If it pleases you, we can begin the meeting.
No hay nada que más me plazca que un día soleado.
There is nothing that pleases me more than a sunny day.
'Placer' vs. 'Gustar'
Think of the verb 'placer' as a very formal or old-fashioned version of 'gustar'. In everyday speech, you'll almost always use 'gustar' to say you like something. 'Me gusta' is common, while 'Me place' is rare.
Using it like a regular verb
Mistake: “Yo plazco la comida.”
Correction: Use 'gustar' instead: 'Me gusta la comida'. The verb 'placer' is rarely used with 'yo' and often works backward like 'gustar', focusing on what is pleasing to someone.
Choosing between 'agradar' and 'complacer'
Related Translations
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