encanto
/enˈkanto/masculine
The Spanish word for charm is encanto.
encanto is a noun used to describe the quality of inspiring delight or admiration. While the word itself refers to a delightful quality, the related verb encantar is most commonly used in a colloquial sense to mean that you love or really like something.
Meaning: quality of inspiring delight or admiration (noun)
Which one should you use?
The noun encanto refers specifically to the quality of being charming. To describe someone or something as being charming, you would use the adjective forms encantador for masculine subjects or encantadora for feminine subjects. To express the action of charming, seducing or fascinating, you can use the verbs encantar or prendar or use encantar and hechizar specifically when referring to using a magical charm.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
encanto is a masculine noun and is used with masculine articles such as el or un.
How do you pronounce it?
/enˈkanto/
Did you know?
- In some Latin American folklore, an encanto is not just a quality but a magical place or a supernatural entity that lures people away from the human world.
- While English speakers use 'charm' for a small lucky object, Spanish speakers use amuleto or talismán, as encanto refers to the magic itself rather than the object.
- In Spanish, calling someone un encanto is a common idiom meaning they are a 'sweetheart' or a 'dear', focusing on their kindness rather than just their charisma.
Examples in context
- El perro es un encanto.The dog is a charm.This sentence shows how to describe a dog using encanto.Tatoeba #2068268 by Shishir, translation #12847970 by rul
- La vieja cabaña tiene un cierto encanto.The old cottage has a certain charm about it.This sentence describes how a cottage possesses a certain encanto.Tatoeba #5882446 by albrusgher, translation #48155 by orcrist
- Las fotos en blanco y negro tienen un encanto especial.Black and white photos have a special charm.This sentence illustrates how black and white photos can have a special encanto.Tatoeba #1063040 by Shishir, translation #1124654 by kedge
- Me impresionó su atractivoTheir charm impressed me
- Ella irradiaba glamour y encanto en la fiestaShe exuded glamour and charm at the party
- Su encanto siempre nos saca una sonrisaTheir charm always brings a smile to our faces
- Tiene mucha simpatía. Todos quieren estar a su ladoThey have a lot of charm, everyone wants to be around them
- Su gracia natural atrae a todo el mundoTheir natural charm attracts everyone
- ¡Qué encanto de persona!What a charming person!
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are visiting a small town for the first time.
- MateoEste pueblo tiene mucho encanto, ¿verdad?This town has a lot of charm, right?
- MaríaSí, Mateo, me encanta la arquitectura.Yes, Mateo, I love the architecture.
- MateoTodo se siente muy tranquilo y auténtico.Everything feels very peaceful and authentic.
- MaríaEse es el encanto de viajar así.That is the charm of traveling this way.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “charm” translations and entries encanto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
