cortesía
/koɾteˈsia/feminine
The English word courtesy is translated into Spanish as cortesía.
cortesía is a noun referring to polite behavior. When you want to describe something that is given or done as a polite gesture, or something provided free of charge, you use the phrase de cortesía. For example, a service provided for free as a professional courtesy can be described as being de cortesía. To describe a person or an action as being courteous, you would use the related adjective cortés.
Meaning: polite behavior (noun)
Which one should you use?
While cortesía is the direct translation for the concept of courtesy, Spanish speakers may use other words depending on the context. Educación is used when referring to good manners or education in a broader sense. Amabilidad is used when the context specifically implies kindness or amiability.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
cortesía is a feminine noun. It is used with feminine articles such as la or una.
How do you pronounce it?
/koɾteˈsia/
Did you know?
- The word cortesía shares its root with the word 'court', as the term originally described the refined behavior expected within a royal court.
- While educación translates to 'education', in Spanish it is frequently used to mean 'good manners'. Telling someone no tiene educación means they are rude, not that they lack schooling.
- In Spanish, the word cortesía is closely linked to the concept of caballerosidad, which describes the chivalry and honor associated with being a 'gentleman'.
Examples in context
- ¡Muestra un poco de cortesía!Show a little courtesy!This sentence shows how to use cortesía when asking someone to act with politeness.Tatoeba #6391395 by dfrankmv, translation #6391312 by Luornu
- Tom ni siquiera tuvo la cortesía de decir que lo sentía.Tom didn't even have the courtesy to say that he was sorry.This sentence uses cortesía to describe a person's lack of polite behavior.Tatoeba #1882698 by teskmon, translation #1026426 by CK
- La cortesía no cuesta nada.Courtesy costs nothing.This sentence uses cortesía in a common proverb about politeness.Tatoeba #3647806 by carlosalberto, translation #3647794 by nguyenh
- Es importante mostrar cortesía en todas las interacciones profesionales.It is important to show courtesy in all professional interactions.
- ¡Gracias por tu amabilidad! No esperaba que me ayudaras con esto.Thank you for your kindness! I didn't expect you to help me with this.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are discussing a rude coworker.
- DanielEse hombre no tiene ninguna cortesía.That man has no courtesy at all.
- MaríaTienes razón, fue muy grosero con nosotros.You are right, he was very rude to us.
- DanielLa cortesía es fundamental en el trabajo.Courtesy is fundamental at work.
- MaríaExacto, Daniel, todos deberíamos ser amables.Exactly, Daniel, we should all be kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “courtesy” translations and entries cortesía, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cortesía, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
